Matviyenko confers with Ali Larijani

Tehran, Nov 14, IRNA – Russian Federation Council chief Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko conferred with Majlis (parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani here on Sunday evening. In the meeting, the two sides underlined development of bilateral relations. The two sides are due to attend joint press conference after the meeting. Matviyenko arrived in Tehran on Sunday afternoon at the head of parliamentary delegation. During her two-day visit to Tehran, she is to meet with President Rouhani and Foreign Minister Zarif. Chairperson of the Council of the Federation Committee on Defensive and Security Victor Ozerov and a number of Russian parliamentary members as well as members of the Federation Council are accompanying Matviyenko. Matviyenko told IRNA before her departure to Tehran that advancing parliamentary relations, bilateral cooperation and increasing convergence in the Middle East, especially in fight against anti-Syria terrorism, are topics of her negotiations with Iranian senior officials. Presidents of both countries underlined growing mutual cooperation, she said, adding that the two countries are actively planning for enforcement of agreements reached between the two heads of state. Matviyenko is considered the third highest ranking official in Russia after president and prime minister. The Russian Federation Council works as senate with 178 representatives and Duma by 450 representatives from Russian parliament. 1378/IRNA