Envoy: Tehran Favors Broader Co-op With Belgrade

Tehran, Aug 2, IRNA – Iranian ambassador to Serbia in a Friday meeting with head of Serbian Parliamentˈs Foreign Policy Commission emphasized Tehranˈs will to broaden cooperation with Belgrade, especially in parliamentary field. Ambassador Majid Fahimpour in the meeting while elaborating on Iranˈs proactive foreign policy elaborated on the Islamic Republicˈs stands, especially on the rapid Middle East developments and renewed the Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijaniˈs last year invitation of his Serbian counterpart Maja Gojkovic, adding that the head of the Serbian Parliamentˈs Foreign Policy Commission, too, would be welcome to visit Iran along with her. He emphasized the need for bilateral parliamentary cooperation and exchange of parliamentary delegations at the service of improving comprehensive bilateral relations, especially in economic and cultural fields and the strengthening of the two countriesˈ old and friendly relations. In the meeting at the Serbian Parliament Ambassador Fahimpour also elaborated on the status of observing the human rights and the ethnic and religious minoritiesˈ rights in Iran, informing the top Serbian parliament member that such minorities have representatives in the Iranian Parliament. The head of the Serbian Parliamentˈs Foreign Policy Commission, too, in the meeting welcomed being invited to Iran along with her countryˈs Parliament Speaker and said that she was agreed with the Iranian ambassador on the significance of parliamentary relations and friendship groups in progress of Tehran-Belgrade relations. Ms. Jurovic also welcomed the proactive foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including holding talks with the West to resolve the existing issues and volunteering to contribute to resolve the Syrian crisis. On her countryˈs top foreign policy priorities, Jurovic said that Serbiaˈs topmost priority is joining the European Union. ˈThat is important for us, because we wish to live up to the fundamentals that are observed in the EU, but that will not mean that Serbia will be fully abiding by the EU policies after joining the EU,ˈ she added. The head of the Serbian Parliamentˈs Foreign Policy Commission further elaborating on the matter said that the Serbian foreign policy is regulated in a way to secure Serbiaˈs interests, adding, ˈWe should not act in a way to destroy our own national economy for instance.ˈ ˈWe cannot for instance ignore our long lasting and traditional relations with Russia and join the EU sanctions against Russia,ˈ she said. Jurovic said that the last year visit of the Iranian Parliament Speaker of Belgrade and his meetings with high ranking Serbian officials was of great significance in improving the two countriesˈ understanding of each other, understanding the two countriesˈ capabilities and getting informed about the depth of the regional developments. She also appreciated the Islamic Republic of Iranˈs stands on Kosovo issue. In September 2011, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, Mohammed Akhoundzadeh visited Serbia during the annual NAM council held in Belgrade that year and announced that Iran doesnˈt recognize Kosovo as a sovereign nation, and that he hoped friendly relations between Serbia and Iran would progress further. Less than a year later, Ivan Mrkić traveled to Tehran to represent Serbia at the 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. It was reported on 31 August 2012 that Mrkić addressed the summit participants that Serbia wishes to remain engaged with NAM member states while devoting to accession to the EU. Along with the Iranian embassy, there is also an Iranian cultural center located in Belgrade. An Iranian film festival is held annually at the Filmography Museum in Belgrade./end