Majlis speaker departs for Switzerland to attend IPU meeting

Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani, heading a political delegation, left Tehran for Bern, Switzerland, Sunday morning to attend the 125th session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).The four-day meeting is to kick off later today with participation of representatives from over 120 world countries including Iran who would discuss major economic, political and social issues. Speaking to reporters prior to his departure, Larijani said issues of nuclear weapons and reforming financial markets would be two major topics to be discussed in the IPU meeting. He said he would also hold talks with his counterparts from participating countries on the sidelines of the meeting. Following his visit to Switzerland, the speaker is due to travel to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, respectively, to discuss issues of mutual interests with senior officials of the two countries. The IPU is the international organization of Parliaments. It was established in 1889. The union is the focal point for worldwide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and cooperation among peoples and the firm establishment of representative democracy. The IPU's Headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.