Larijani holds talks with Ecuadorian parliament speaker

TEHRAN, Feb.22(MNA)-- Iranian Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani met with his Ecuadorian counterpart Fernando Cordero on Sunday to discuss bilateral ties and recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa.

Larijani said that the recent uprisings in the region are rooted in people’s dissatisfaction with the U.S. policies toward the regional countries and despotic and dependent dictators who have ruled their countries.

Larijani said, “Certainly the regional nations will benefit from these developments.”

The senior lawmaker pointed to Iran-Ecuador good relationship and said that the two countries can expand their ties in various areas, especially in trade, agriculture and industry.

He also highlighted the important role that the two countries’ parliaments can play to facilitate the expansion of ties between Tehran and Quito.

Cordero said the aim of his visit to Tehran is to negotiate enhancement of bilateral relations.

“The Ecuadorian parliament and government support expansion of cooperation with Iran,” Cordero said.

Iran and Ecuador share common views on international and political issues, and it can bring the two countries closer to each other, Cordero added.

Strengthening ties with Latin American countries has been a major foreign policy strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in recent years.