The president of Italy's Chamber of Deputies says Iran has a crucial role to play in ensuring stability in the region.
In a meeting with Massoumeh Ebtekar, vice president and head of the Department of Environment, in Rome on Thursday, Laura Boldrini said, "Iran's role in ensuring stability in the region and fighting extremist groups, such as the Islamic State (IS), is important and crucial," IRNA reported.
She voiced concern over the activities of IS militants and other terrorist groups in the region and said the dogmatic thoughts of such groups have nothing to do with true Islam.
The Italian parliament speaker called on the international community to adopt a proper approach toward the developments in the region and take into account Iran's constructive interaction with the world.
She said her country is prepared to expand bilateral relations with Iran in parliamentary, economic, cultural and scientific spheres.
Ebtekar, for her part, briefed the Italian official on the positive outcomes of her two-day visit to Rome and expressed her views about environmental challenges facing the world and the ways to address them.
She also provided a brief report of the current state of women in Iran and their significant achievements.
Italy Backs P5+1 Talks
The Italian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Wednesday about a meeting between the Italian foreign minister and Ebtekar during her stay in Rome.
According to the statement, in the meeting Paolo Gentiloni expressed Italy's support for the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany), ISNA reported.
Gentiloni stressed the necessity to continue the nuclear talks to ease concerns through resolving the long-running dispute over Tehran's nuclear program.
Iran denies the allegation that it may have been seeking to develop the capability to build nuclear bombs, saying its nuclear work is solely for peaceful applications.The Italian foreign minister said, "Positive signs from Iran can pave the way for a comprehensive agreement."
The two officials also called for increased bilateral cooperation on environmental issues.
Ebtekar, heading a delegation, travelled to Rome on Tuesday to meet with Italian officials to discuss the ways to expand bilateral cooperation and sign memorandums of understanding on environmental issues.
