(IRNA) - An Iranian parliamentary delegation met the speaker of the Belgian parliament, Hermann de Croo, in Brussels Tuesday and discussed the progress of bilateral Belgo-Iranian parliamentary ties.
Mahmoud Mohammadi, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Iranian Majlis (Parliament) is leading a 4-member parliamentary delegation on a 2-day visit to Brussels, reports Trend.
"We had a very frank discussion and I told the chairman and the delegates of what was our impression and also to come back to better relations as we have had in the past," de Croo told IRNA after the one-hour meeting.
"We have a long tradition of relations in the past with this important country," he said.
"We have to get rid on all sides of the so-called nuclear problem," he said, adding that perhaps due to lack of explanation there was a cloud of suspicion surrounding the issue.
"As soon as that important issue will be behind us it will have a positive effect on the commercial, cultural and economic relations between Belgium and Iran," he noted.
Hermann de Croo visited Iran in December 2001.
On his part, Mohammadi described his talks as "very useful and constructive," and said he told de Croo that Iran is ready to strengthen parliamentary ties with Belgium and proposed the formation of a friendship group and exchange of delegations.
Mohammadi explained Iran's transparent policy on the nuclear program for peaceful use and said Europe must support the path of dialogue to resolve the nuclear issues.
He noted that the position of the Belgian side was very positive on further expansion of bilateral relations.