“Preventing any illegal restriction and orientation such as oppressive sanctions that hinder expansion of economic relations should form the main axis of parliamentarian legislations in post-COVID era,” Qalibaf said addressing the Asian Parliamentary Assembly first online meeting.
The full text of Qalibaf’s address is as follows:
Esteemed Colleagues, Honorable speakers of Asian Parliaments
As you have already learned, our world is undergoing a special period of change and development induced by COVID19 pandemic.
Under this tricky and trying circumstances there are both trans-boundary opportunities and threats for governments and nations.
Ignoring such risks and opportunities would be the most ill-conceived response to such a situation.
Presently, diplomacy and inter-parliamentary cooperation gain more importance and thus parliamentary forums have a big responsibility on their shoulders.
 
Via utilizing such opportunities, we believe that clear and unanimous messages could be communicated to the international communities, nations and particularly governments through multilateral parliamentary engagements.
On the other hand, COVID19 negative impacts could be mitigated through further enablement and giving a stronger role to these forums or other influential entities.
Esteemed MPs and parliamentarian delegations,
Economic affairs have been particularly affected by COVID19 pandemic.
I thus hold the belief that dealing with economic and trade issues through adopting a principled development-based approach is crucial which entails revising and re-examining strategies of commercial and trade for economic reconstruction.
Several months into the global outbreak of COVID19, APA member states have gained precious experience in this regard where the contribution of member states to answering the health, pharmaceutical and equipment demands of other countries along with the experience sharing have opened a new horizon.
Deepening, diversification and extension of this experience to other fields would give new trade and economic arrangement enhanced flexibility under current and future circumstances.
In particular when we are aware that there will be a different post-COVID world.
Member parliaments and the way legislations approach such an issue undoubtedly possess great importance.
We should consider parliamentarian economic diplomacy and its role in advancing economic briskness among APA members and support it.
In this regard, there are a number of suggestions:
1. SPA secretariat should draft and present a comprehensive report on Asian parliaments’ roles and their potentials in bringing together the trade and economic horizons of countries and parliaments as well as synergic measures adopted among them.
2. Presentation and formation of legal frameworks, finding development-centered, facilitating accelerating solutions to economic relations, supporting bilateral and multilateral agreements, developing incentive and support mechanisms, supporting novel frameworks on new platforms and preventing any illegal restriction and orientation such as oppressive sanctions that hinder expansion of economic relations should form the main axis of parliamentarian legislations in post-COVID era.
These affairs are expedited when our collective policies and approaches are steered on the right path.
The Islamic Republic of Iran was among the first countries that came into contact with the outbreak of dangerous COVID19, thanks to the expression of resolve by all relevant authorities.
3. National HQ was immediately instituted in which a number of MPs are actively involved.
Also the Islamic Consultative Assembly regularly holds its session in complete compliance with related protocols and close observation of all medical requirements.
However, during the dangerous pandemic and in spite of calls and pressures of international organizations on the US to remove or relax its economic sanctions against nations including Iran.
The US maximum pressure campaign is on the rise against the nations which has complicated and collective struggle against this dangerous virus.
Hence it is necessary to strongly condemn US inhumane policy.
When it comes to addressing issues related to COVID19 pandemic.
Distinguished MPs and participating members,
With utmost regret, the Occupying regime of Quds is aiming annexing some parts of the West Bank to the Occupied Palestine land in continuation of its expansionist policies and occupying schemes and despite the UN resolutions as well as international oppositions.
This illegal act constitutes a new aggression on the uncontested Palestinian rights and could be hot spot for new escalations and emergence of another crisis in the region.
While lending support to the people of Palestine and expressing a strong condemnation of these inhumane and illegitimate intensions, the Islamic Consultative Assembly demands international forums, APA in particular to adopt an emphatic stance in this regard and make all the necessary parliamentarian arrangements for prompt halting of occupying and expansionist policies of the Zionist regime.
To conclude, I would like to stress that in its new term, the Islamic Consultative Assembly not only welcomes further strengthening of effective ties and consultations with parliaments of other countries but also intends to enhance, expand and deepen constructive and friendly parliamentary relations and engagements.
It also wishes to open a new chapter of empathy, cooperation and integration with other parliaments, Asian parliaments in particular and registers its complete readiness to contribute actively and purposefully to this important cause.