Parliaments of South Africa and Iran commit to making world a better place for all, enhancing relations between their two Legislatures, pay tribute to Nelson Mandela
A high-level Parliamentary delegation, led by Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Max Sisulu, and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Mr Mninwa Mahlangu, has reaffirmed with their Iranian counterparts “a shared commitment to develop an even closer relationship between the two Parliaments”.
The Iranian delegation, on an official visit led by the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Ali Ardashir Larijani, comprised high profile members of the Iranian Parliament and the Executive. Their visit follows an official visit in 2010 by Mr Sisulu to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
During the discussion yesterday, the two delegations paid tribute to South Africa’s first democratically elected President, Mr Nelson Mandela, and acknowledged the irreplaceable gap his passing has left in the world.
They also discussed issues of international solidarity and cooperation, economic development, nuclear energy, terrorism and the values that should underpin contemporary international relations in the world.
Opening the discussion, Mr Sisulu highlighted the shared world-view between the two countries - making the world a better place for all and not just for some.
“This is especially true of the developing countries,” he said.
Mr Sisulu, reflecting on his 2010 official visit to the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, expressed admiration for the resilience of the Iranians.
“What we witnessed in your beautiful country was amazing. We saw people in action, working hard in all sectors of the economy for socio-economic progress.
“We were encouraged by the determination of a dedicated nation working under really difficult circumstances and against great international pressure for the upliftment of their country. We brought with us a lot of lessons from that experience,” Mr Sisulu recalled.
He urged members of the delegations, during their discussion, to build on the foundation laid during the 2010 visit and to exchange views on a range of topics, including transport, science and technology, energy and housing.
Mr Mahlangu highlighted the role of Parliaments in exercising oversight of international agreements and he acknowledged the important role of Iran in the Middle East. Dr Larijani said his country considered South Africa “an important friend with which we would like to consult on political and international matters.
“On the economic front, more immediate steps are required to strengthen our relations. We are ready to cooperate with South Africa on oil and gas production. We acknowledge your country’s strength in science.
“We need to enter into joint ventures in these and related industries. We must do joint ventures in mining. This is a very good time for South African business people to visit to explore possibilities,” he said.
Iran, Dr Larijani said, reserved the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful use – not for weapons – and Iran’s programme to develop uranium was closely supervised to ensure that it complied with this peaceful intent.
Since 2009, when the fourth democratic Parliament was established, there have been 18 exchange visits between Parliament and the national legislatures of other countries. Yesterday’s meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament of Iran follows a bilateral last week with the President of the Grand Assembly of the Norwegian Parliament.
