Call for Adequate Budget for Foreign, Intel Ministries

The government's financial support for the foreign and intelligence ministries is essential to maintain and improve the country's political stability and security as well as foster economic growth, a member of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said.

In a recent talk with ICANA, Morteza Saffari Natanzi also urged government officials to earmark adequate funds to the two key ministries in the budget bill for the upcoming fiscal year (March 2018-19).

"Creating a stable political environment through diplomacy on a bi- and multi-lateral scale is among the goals of the Sixth Five-Year Economic Development Plan (2017-22) and the foreign and intelligence ministries have a major role in achieving the objective," he said, stressing that the next year's budget need to guarantee the fulfillment of this mission.

The official noted that besides measures to bolster the defensive power, efforts to enhance diplomacy and intelligence services are required "to counter the threats of our sworn enemies".

Saffari also highlighted the role of diplomacy in creating a dynamic export-based economy.

"Effective economic diplomacy [will help Iranian businesses] enter global markets to present their goods and technical and engineering services, facilitate funding for projects and pave the way for the inflow of foreign investment and modern technologies," he said.

Saffari, however, added that reinforcing the defense system is also of great importance, as the achievement of aforementioned goals is not possible unless domestic security is ensured.

In his speech in parliament to gain a vote of confidence, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had referred to economic diplomacy as one of his main priorities to sustainably secure national interests amid instability in the region and the world.

Zarif had pledged that Iranian diplomats would work to facilitate cooperation between domestic companies and foreign firms.

Intelligence Minister Mahmoud Alavi has also vowed to maintain a safe and secure investment environment for both domestic and foreign businesses.

The budget bill for the next fiscal year was approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday and was submitted to the parliament by President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday.