Iran-Egypt cooperation will benefit Islamic world

TEHRAN, March 17 (MNA) -- Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani says that Islamic countries will derive considerable benefit from Iran-Egypt cooperation.

Larijani made the remarks in Tehran on Tuesday at his last press conference of the Iranian calendar year, which ends on March 20.

“This is my view. Others may hold different points of view, but such is our reading of regional affairs,” he said.

He pointed out that Egypt has the same position as Iran on the principle of defending the Palestinian people.

However, the two countries have different tactical approaches in regard to the Palestinian issue, he added.

Commenting on his meeting in Egypt with members of the country’s parliament earlier this year, Larijani said, “In our negotiations with Egyptian officials, we came to the conclusion that we may have differences of technique.”

He went on to say that the Zionist regime is trying to drive a wedge between Iran and Egypt in order to undermine regional efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue.

Asked about the U.S. vice president’s recent trip to the Middle East and the entreaties he made to some Arab states to join the West in efforts to impose tougher sanctions on Iran, Larijani said all these statements are nothing but a “nightmare” in the political domain.

“U.S. officials have not acted in line with their statements. Basically, the United States’ actions contradict their rhetoric of change,” he added.

On Iran’s national budget plan, he said great strides have been made for the realization of the objectives of Article 44 of the Constitution.

Although the national budget plan was not submitted to the Majlis on time, the MPs showed great determination to bring it to open sessions of parliament for consideration, Larijani stated.

“Finally, the budget (bill) was passed in the Majlis and the Guardian Council approved it,” he added.