There is great potential for developing economic relations with Latin America.

According to Ashura News, quoted by Mehr reporter, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, in explaining the achievements of the trip to Latin America and participation in the BRICS summit after returning from the trip, stated: On Saturday night last week, I had a trip to Latin America, I traveled to three countries with the final destination of Brazil, and initially in Venezuela, I met with the President and Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Transportation of this country.

He added: Parliamentary talks and attention to economic and political issues between the two countries were discussed in the meetings in Venezuela, and one of the good features that I observed in this country is the issue of trade relations, especially the issue of the private sector, both countries have started good work together, and this promises a good and better future.

The Speaker of the Assembly referred to the cooperation between governments among Latin American countries and our country and continued: There is a lot of potential for developing economic relations, especially in energy issues and attention to the knowledge-based field, as well as agricultural issues that were discussed and discussed.

Ghalibaf listed the development of parliamentary relations and friendship groups between Iran and Venezuela as among the topics of discussion with the country's officials and said: "A very good meeting was also held with religious leaders in this country. In addition, a meeting was held at the university with professors in the field of international relations. Global and international issues with the unilateral approach of the United States and the issues of Gaza were discussed.

He addressed the significant knowledge-based activities of Iranian companies in Venezuela by academics and reminded: All knowledge-based capacities were foreseen in the Creative House in one place and in a permanent exhibition. This section was welcomed by the scientific and academic as well as commercial and industrial sectors of Venezuela, and this indicates good and deep relations between the two countries in recent years.

In part of his speech, the Speaker of the Parliament stated: "The issue of free tariffs between the two countries was discussed and reviewed during this visit, and I hope that it will be finalized in the next few months and signed by the officials of the two sides in the joint commission."

After Venezuela, Qalibaf traveled to Havana, the capital of Cuba, and continued: Cuba is an independent, freedom-loving, and militant country, although it had problems due to long-term sanctions. In this country, I met with the president and the speaker of the parliament of this country and discussed various issues, including energy and agriculture, and it was proposed to use the capacity of the country's refineries.

He added: "We all know that Cuba is a leading country in the field of pharmaceutical and medical issues, and we gifted some of the medicines that were ready for distribution and export in our country to the Cuban president. I think there is a good opportunity for serious cooperation between Iran and Cuba in the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals."

The Speaker of the Parliament referred to the final destination of his trip to Brasilia and participation in the 11th BRICS Summit and added: BRICS is one of the great opportunities that has been provided for our country today, both in bilateral and multilateral relations at the regional and international levels, and I think the strongest and most frequent discussion that can be pursued today to develop relations is the BRICS and Shanghai opportunity for our country.

Referring to the fact that 49 percent of the world's population is currently considered a member of BRICS, Ghalibaf emphasized: This capacity of BRICS is important economically and politically. In the field of trade, 24 percent of world trade takes place in BRICS, and in terms of economy, 39 of the world's economies are gathered in BRICS. BRICS carries out its activities in political, social, cultural, scientific and sports issues in addition to economic issues as a complete group.

He noted: In the speeches of the BRICS summit, everyone unanimously held positions on the unilateral behavior of the United States and criticized this in various sectors, and they all objected to it and had more motivation for cooperation in economic areas.

The Speaker of the Parliament referred to the meeting with the heads of the Senate and National Assembly of Brazil and said: We pursued bilateral parliamentary talks as well as the field of economic and political issues. We have a good trade volume with Brazil, and we must pay attention to the fact that the ratio of our exports to our imports from Brazil is not defensible. The volume of trade and exchanges between Iran and Brazil is nearly 8 billion euros, of which one billion is Iranian exports and 7 billion euros are imports from Brazil to Iran. One of the issues we pursued in these meetings was the issue of exports of our agricultural sectors, especially in the field of Iranian products such as apples and kiwi, and these are opportunities that we can pursue good exports in this area.

Ghalibaf continued: We also have good opportunities in the petrochemical sector, and I hope that we can have a good boom in this sector of economy and trade with Brazil, and in 2026, the BRICS summit will be held in New Delhi, India, and this opportunity was provided to meet and discuss with the Speaker of the Indian Parliament for next year's summit.

He continued in this regard: Our talks with the Speaker of the Indian Parliament were held regarding bilateral relations, especially in parliamentary cooperation to help and realize the backlogs we have in the issue of Chabahar as a free port.

The Speaker of the Parliament pointed out that his visit coincided with the 36th anniversary of the passing of the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and stated: On the occasion of the anniversary of the passing of Imam Khomeini, the Iranian Embassy in Brazil held a good meeting with the presence of ambassadors of Islamic countries and some elites, as well as some students to commemorate this event.

Ghalibaf noted: This trip was intensive, but it provided good opportunities in the field of parliamentary cooperation, interactions, and pursuing economic and political affairs. Considering the priority given to diplomacy, especially in the field of public diplomacy, and the work that the Islamic Consultative Assembly must pursue, it was a good and successful trip.