�I have been happy to meet here in Tehran the Foreign Minister of Albania, Mr. Ditmir Bushati in my capacity of deputy and chairman of the Iranian- Albanian parliamentary friendship group, and I hope to have cooperation with an Albanian friendship group in the near future and exchange visits to promote the relations between the two countries, � said deputy Mohammad Reza Tabesh, who is also Chairman of the Fraction on the Environment and Sustainable Development and Vice - Chairman of the Special Committee on Economic Reform in Iranian Parliament in an exclusive interview with Albanian Daily News on Monday.
Asked on the significance of the swearing- in ceremony of President Hassan Rouhani on August 5, 2017 Mr. Tabesh said that fortunately the system of Iran is democratic and what Leader Ayatollah Khomeini did was turning Iran from a despotic country into a country of the people, who are the real owners of this system, and their vote has a huge impact on the life of the country and of the system, as well. In addition he said that incidentally what happened last Saturday coincided with the 110th anniversary of the Constitution of Iran, which in Iranian history is �the constitutional period�, and it was an opportunity to be seen a magnificent oath ceremony of President Rouhani, where more than 100 dignitaries from various countries participated.
�This participation means an indication that Iran is a very important country in the region and the world and shows the stable situation in the country. This also shows that Iran plays a crucial role in international affairs,� said the deputy, who served 5 mandates in Iranian Parliament.
Speaking of the expectations of the people in the second presidential mandate of Rouhani, he said that basically solving the economic problems of them is important and will continue to be a challenge. On the other hand, he said that good interaction with the outside world is crucial and evidence of it is the JCPOA, (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). Also, he said that his country will continue to play an important role in solving regional and world problems. �We stand tough against terrorism,� said the Iranian veteran lawmaker.
Speaking of the role of parliamentary friendship groups, Mr. Tabesh said that based on the general policy of Iran for interaction with the friendly countries they had started to establish such groups of friendship.
�From all those countries that Iran wants to have interactions Albania makes no exception, and we work for strengthening the fraternal and friendly relations with Albania,� he said, adding that they did that not because of religious inclinations because of the existence of Muslims in Albania, where there is Christian population, too. �There are common cultural values between our two countries. In addition Albania is among the countries of the Islamic Conference. Also we are aware of its role in international institutions, and the role it plays in other international organizations. Albania is among those countries with which we can have a high level of cultural and political and economic and interaction,� he said.
In a comment on the absence of an Albania- Iranian parliamentary friendship group in Albania, Mr. Tabesh was hopeful that such a situation would be overcome. �I am hopeful because I had a meeting with the Foreign Minister, Bushati, and also I had a visit of the Albanian Ambassador to Tehran, Gent Gazheli, and they both made a promise to create such a group in the Parliament and we are still waiting for such a thing to happen. We hope that this issue will be solved,� he said.
According to him, parliaments are the main constitutional bodies of countries and they play a crucial and constructive role in the promotion of the bilateral relations and help to exchange visits of deputies, which are beneficial for the strengthening of bilateral cooperation.
Speaking of the role of the parliamentary diplomacy, the Chairman of the Iranian- Albanian parliamentary friendship group said that first when it comes to signing a Memorandum of Understanding it comes to parliament to be approved. �As I said parliamentary friendship groups play a crucial role in expanding and promoting the interaction and the relations between countries, and as I said your minister and the ambassador agreed that the existence of such groups can help the development of the relations and also the two parliaments must be helpful in achieving the wishes of the people in order to their needs,� he said.
With regard to the question of MKO�s presence in Albania Mr. Tabesh said the Iranian people had suffered from terrorism phenomenon and they have paid a lot for that. He gave examples that Iranian president, premier, many ministers, high ranking officials and a great number of innocent and ordinary people were killed in brutal and blind terrorist acts.
�In a meeting on Saturday with Finish and Bosnian deputies, I reiterated this issue. Honestly speaking, if Iranian troops and advisors were not in Iraq and Syria, ISIS could not have been defeated and expelled,� the Iranian deputy said, adding that his country had played a crucial role in ISIS failure.
Iran expects its friends and the brother country and nation, Albania, to take the issue of MKO into consideration, because, as Mr. Tabesh pointed out, Iranians are so sensitive towards this issue and it is irritant to Iranian people. �As a matter of fact, for boosting the relations between Iran and Albania, Albanians should take serious measures to desensitize Iranian people to MKO. From our point of view, MKO is a dead terrorist group,� he said.
In conclusion the lawmaker, Mohammad Reza Tabesh reiterated the crucial importance of parliaments and parliamentary friendship groups in playing a major role for the promotion of the overall friendly relations between Iran and Albania.