TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (MNA) – Iran’s Parl. Speaker Ali Larijani stressed Iran's friendly ties with the African Republic of Mali, saying the two countries share common views on regional issues and fighting terrorism.
Ali Larijani made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Malian counterpart Issaka Sidibé in Tehran on Wednesday.
Larijani added that the two sides conferred on expansion of economic ties and improving the level of trade transactions in the meeting held prior to the press conference.
The Iranian senior official then expressed regret that the current crises gripping Muslim countries have overshadowed the significant issue of Palestine; “we are glad that the upcoming session of the PUIC Conference will be held in Mali, and we hope that the conference will be successful in adopting important decisions on challenges currently facing the Islamic world,” he added.
The President of the National Assembly of Mali, for his part, extended his condolences over the passing of former Iranian President and Chairman of the Expediency Council, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani. The Iranian official died at 82 on Sunday due to heart condition.
Sidibé then touched upon the Palestinian issue, saying his country has always voiced concern over the situation of Palestinian people; “Mali has expressed its strong objection to all UN resolutions that were against the Palestinian people, and we supported wholeheartedly the latest Security Council resolution in solidarity with Palestine,” he added.
He went on to vow that his country would show remarkable participation in the summit to be hosted by Iran in support of Palestine.
“I also assure you that I will make every effort to address the issues and problems of the Muslim countries during the 12th Session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States that will be hosted by Mali,” he said.
Issaka Sidibé heading a parliamentary delegation arrived in Tehran Wednesday morning at the official invitation of Ali Larijani. On his two-day visit, Sidibé will meet with a number of Iranian officials before departing for Bamako on Thursday.