BRUSSEL -- A highly-respected and very influential member of the European Parliament (MEP) has described the upcoming visit of EP delegation to the Islamic Republic as of great significance to boost bilateral EU-Iran cooperation and ties.

"It is a very important mission, it is the first ever visit by the European parliament to the Islamic Republic of Iran,'' Baroness Emma Nicholson told IRNA in an interview.

The aim of the five-day visit from July 16-21 was to explore cooperation between the EU and Iran and to build relationship with the Majlis, said Baroness Nicholson who is a vice-chairman of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defense Policy.

She said the ''top class delegation of eminent colleagues'' is led by the committee Chairman Elmar Brok.

The other members of the EP delegation are Baroness Nicholson Michael Gahler (MEP from Germany) rapporteur for relations with Iran, Glyn Ford (MEP from the UK) and Demetrio Volcic (MEP from Italy).

"I am most grateful for the invitation, I am glad to accept, we are a full delegation and have an excellent program,'' said the Baroness, an MEP from the UK, who is also a member of the Committee on Agriculture.

The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis).

The EP delegation will meet President Mohammad Khatami, Speaker of the Majlis Mahdi Karrubi and Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi in Tehran.

The MEPs will then visit a refugee camp in Shiraz and also take a tour of the ancient site of Persepolis.

Baroness Nicholson has visited Iran several times in the past in her private capacity, she is engaged in charitable activities and is the President of the London-based Amar International Charity Foundation.

Last January, the Baroness was named the World Health Organization envoy on health, peace and development for who's eastern Mediterranean region (which also includes Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan).

''It is a joyful occasion to visit Iran and I think the visit be successful to open the door for cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran,'' she told IRNA.

thr 061 eu-iran-interview /pol/ mep: ep mission to iran very important nawab khan brussels, july 13, irna -- a highly-respected and very influential member of the european parliament (mep) has described the upcoming visit of ep delegation to the islamic republic as of great significance to boost bilateral eu-iran cooperation and ties.

''it is a very important mission. it is the first ever visit by the european parliament to the islamic republic of iran,'' baroness emma nicholson told irna in an interview.

the aim of the five-day visit from 16-21 july was to explore cooperation between the eu and iran and to build relationship with the majlis (iranian parliament), said baroness nicholson who is a vice-chairman of the ep committee on foreign affairs, human rights, common security and defence policy.

she said the ''top class delegation of eminent colleagues'' is led by the chairman of the committee, elmar brok.

the other members of the ep delegation are baroness nicholson michael gahler (mep from germany) rapporteur for relations with iran, glyn ford (mep from the uk) and demetrio volcic (mep from italy).

''i am most grateful for the invitation. i am glad to accept. we are a full delegation and have an excellent programme,'' said the baroness, an mep from the uk, who is also a member of the committee on agriculture.

the visit is taking place at the invitation of the iranian parliament (majlis).

the ep delegation will meet president mohammad khatami, speaker of the majlis mehdi karroubi and foreign minister kamal kharrazi in tehran.

the meps will then visit a refugee camp in shiraz and also take a tour of the ancient site of persepolis.

baroness nicholson has visited iran several times in the past in her private capacity. she is engaged in charitable activities and is the president of the london-based amar international charitable foundation.

last january, the baroness was named the world health organization envoy on health, peace and development for who's eastern mediterranean region (which also includes afghanistan, iran and pakistan).

''it is a joyful occasion to visit iran and i think the visit be successful to open the door for cooperation with the islamic republic of iran,'' she told irna.