Georgian Speaker Calls for Closer Parliamentary Ties with Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Georgian Parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze called for closer relations with the Islamic Republic in various areas, parliamentary cooperation in particular.
Speaking at a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Tbilisi on Tuesday, Kobakhidze stressed the need to boost the parliamentary, political and economic relations between the two countries.
He further invited Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani to pay an official visit to the Caucasian country in the near future.
Zarif, for his part, hailed the growing ties between Tehran and Tbilisi, and called for development of the two countries’ parliamentary relations.
Elsewhere, the foreign minister called for providing more facilities for Iranian travelers in Georgia’s points of entry and exit and ensuring that the dignity of Iranians, especially Iranian Muslim women who travel to Georgia, is safeguarded.
His comments came following reports of recent insulting treatment of a number of Iranian woman by security personnel at the Tbilisi airport.
Heading a 20-member delegation of businessmen and company representatives, Zarif arrived in Tbilisi on Monday evening at the official invitation of the country’s foreign minister.
During his trip, the Iranian minister is expected to also meet with Georgia’s president, prime minister and minister of economy and sustainable development.
According to a statement released by the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Iran’s top diplomat will also attend an Iran-Georgia business forum.
He will reportedly pay tribute to and lay a wreath at the monument of those fallen fighting for Georgia’s territorial integrity as well.
On the first leg of his tour of regional countries, Zarif traveled to Turkmenistan on Sunday. After Georgia, he will travel to Kyrgyzstan.
