TEHRAN -- A member of the European Parliament (MEP) Baroness Emma Nicholson here on Thursday conferred with Majlis representatives Fatemeh Rakei, Elahe Koulai, Jamileh Kadivar and Fatemeh Haghighat-Jou on expansion of parliamentary ties between Iran and Europe.

At the meeting, the Vice Chairman of Womens' Fraction of the Majlis Fatemeh Rakei said Iran's foreign policy gives priority to broadening ties with European countries and added that the Islamic Republic of Iran firmly believes in mutual respect and safeguarding national interests in its relations with other countries.

Another MP and Member of the Women's Fraction at Majlis Elahe Koulai elaborated the political, social and cultural activities of the Iranian women and said, fortunately following the victory of the Islamic Revolution and particularly after election of President Mohammad Khatami some very effective steps have been taken towards realizing women's rights.

She listed these steps as the active presence of women in various political, academic, judicial, management as well as in the non-governmental organizations.

Another MP Jamileh Kadivar pointed out, "We are now doing our best at the women's fraction to improve the status of women and help them attain a much better position.

Women, she noted, made up sixty percent of the applicants who gained admission to universities in the past two years, registering a significant growth compared to the pre-revolution era.

Fatemeh Haghighat-Jou, another MP, said the Majlis is fully prepared to cooperate and share its legislative experiences with the European Parliament.

she added that various commissions in the Majlis, such as women's fraction as well as environment, can share their experiences with the European Parliament.

Nicholson, for her part, voiced satisfaction with the outcome of her meeting and lauded the measures taken to upgrade the scientific and social status of Iranian women.

She called for broader cooperation among women of the two parliaments.