Ukrainian, Tunisian, Japanese Speakers Ask for Expansion of Parliamentary Ties with Iran

"I hope that relations between Ukraine and Iran will strengthen and parliamentary cooperation will expand in the new round (of the Iranian parliament)," Ukrainian Speaker Dmytro Razumkov wrote in his message on Tuesday.

Also, Tunisian Parliament Speaker Rached el-Ghannouchi in his message underscored efforts to strengthen the brotherly relations between the Tunisian and Iranian legislatures to the benefit of the two nations.

Meantime, President of Japan's House of Councilors Akiko Santo expressed the hope that relations between the two countries would further broaden through interactions between the two parliaments.

He voiced hope for further flourishing and health for Iran.

Qalibaf secured 230 votes out of a total of 264 votes cast by the new legislators to become the next parliament speaker.

Amir-Hossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi from Mashhad constituency and Ali Nikzad from Ardebil constituency received 208 and 196 votes to be elected as first vice-speaker and second vice-speaker, respectively.

The 11th round of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) kicked off work on May 27 in the presence of new legislators, President Hassan Rouhani, Judiciary Chief Ebrahim Rayeesi and other high-ranking officials.

The 11th parliamentary elections and the midterm elections for the Assembly of Experts – a body whose members designate the country’s Leader – were held simultaneously on February 21.

The lawmakers are elected for a 4-year term, with no limitation for the incumbent or former parliamentarians to run again.

Qalibaf was on the top of the list of most-voted candidates in the capital with 1,265,287 votes.