BRUSSELS -- A five-member delegation from the European Parliament is to pay an official visit to Tehran next week for talks to promote parliamentary relations with the Islamic Republic.

It will be the first ever visit of an EP delegation to the Islamic Republic, EP sources told IRNA in Brussels Tuesday.

The delegation will be led by Elmar Brok, head of the EP committee on foreign affairs, human rights, common security and defense policy.

He will be accompanied by MEPs Baroness Nicholson, Michael Gallach, Demetrio Volcic and Glyn Ford, all members of the committee during the five-day visit beginning on July 16.

The aim of the visit is to promote the ''constructive dialogue'' with Iran and support reforms in the Islamic Republic of Iran, said the sources, requesting anonymity.

Issues like human rights and the fight against terrorism will be at the focus of talks that the MEPs will hold with Iranian officials and deputies.

The EP delegation also aims to establish a regular dialogue and increase contacts with the Iranian Majlis (Parliament).

The EP has delegations (parliamentary cooperation committees) with several countries like the Persian Gulf Arab states, Palestine, the Maghreb Union, Israel, but as yet not with Iran.

MEPs are expected to invite a Majlis delegation to visit Brussels and Strasbourg in autumn to continue the political dialogue.