TEHRAN – Austrian Parliamentary Defense Committee Chairman Peter Fichtenbauer conferred with Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani here on Sunday.

Larijani pointed to Iran-Austria long-standing relationship, saying that Tehran is willing to expand ties with Vienna in all areas.
He also said that Majlis will support an expansion of comprehensive relationship between the two nations.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Larijani said that Iran has always attempted to help maintain peace and stability in the region.
He also criticized certain countries for their double standards in campaign against terrorism, insisting that regional countries themselves must resolve challenges facing the region.
Fichtenbauer, for his part, said that Vienna wants to increase ties with Tehran as Iran is a powerful country.
He pointed to the agreements signed between the two countries to swell their trade and economic ties particularly in purchasing gas from Iran, saying the current trade exchange between Iran and Austria is not satisfactory and they should utilize their full potential in this regard.
Referring to the Nabucco pipeline project, he said that Austria has an independent stance on the issue and believes that the project cannot meet the desired result without including Iran.
The Nabucco pipeline project is a planned natural gas pipeline from Erzurum in Turkey to Baumgarten an der March in Austria diversifying the current natural gas suppliers and delivery routes for Europe. The project is backed by several European Union states and the United States and is seen as rival to the planned Russian South Stream pipeline.
Fichtenbauer also pointed out that Iran plays a positive role in Iraq and Afghanistan, saying Afghanistan should seek Iran’s help to establish security.
The Austrian official also called for the expansion of parliamentary ties between Tehran and Vienna.
Larijani also invited his Austrian counterpart to pay an official visit to Tehran