A top official said Iran, as a major victim of terrorism, is ready to transfer its vast experience of fighting the scourge to other countries.
Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani made the statement in a meeting with President of the Belgian Senate Christine Defraigne in Tehran on Saturday, IRNA reported.
"The stability of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in comparison with other Middle East countries, is the result of its [effective] fight against terrorist groups," he said. "We are ready to provide the global community with our valuable experience."
Describing terrorism as a global threat, head of Expediency Council said its "seeds have been scattered" across the globe.
Ayatollah Rafsanjani, also a former president, said the widespread propaganda campaign by terrorist groups, especially in cyberspace, has deceived even educated people to join them, which may enable these groups to find new ways of destabilizing the world and even get their hands on weapons of mass destruction, including chemical arms.
The top official warned that although terrorists are mainly operating in parts of Asia and Africa, it is not unlikely that they could have entered developed countries, underscoring the need for concerted efforts by the international community to deal with the underlying causes of the growth of terrorism. Ayatollah Rafsanjani said considering the European Union's capacities and the unique strengths of Iran, including its natural resources, there is a huge potential for cooperation between the two countries.
"Iran puts no limit on cooperation with members of the European Union, especially Belgium," he said.
Defraigne pointed to the "long history" of relations between the two countries and stressed the need to develop economic relations, as well as cultural and scientific bonds. The Belgian lawmaker said enhancing coordination between the two countries against terrorist groups should also top our agenda. Belgium was the target of three deadly terrorist bombings last March, which killed and injured dozens. The attacks were claimed by the self-styled Islamic State terrorist group.
Defraigne and her accompanying delegation arrived in Iran on Wednesday for a five-day stay. She also met President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani and the head of the Center for Strategic Research, Ali Akbar Velayati, among other Iranian officials.
