The meeting took place in the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah on the occasion of the anniversary of the martyrdom of the former president, Mohammad Ali Rajai, and his prime minister, Mohammad Javad Bahonar which marks the Government Week in Iran.
During this meeting, Imam Khamenei stated that the two key features that both Martyr Rajaei and Martyr Bahonar possessed were that they sought God’s satisfaction and they worked to serve the people.
The Leader said, "The orientation of Rajai and Bahonar was toward God and the Revolution. They believed that working to serve the people brings God’s satisfaction. This fundamental goal overshadowed all their activities and the appointments they made. Therefore, the code words for all the governments of the Islamic system should be seeking God’s satisfaction and working to serve the people."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution expressed his satisfaction with the current administration’s activities in the field of foreign policy, including Iran’s policy with regard to its relations with neighbors. "We should not have conflicts with any of our neighbors. If there is a conflict, it should be turned into cooperation. Certain steps have been taken in this regard, and this needs to be continued," he said.
Imam Khamenei also hailed the 13th administration for its policy of establishing relations with all governments (apart from a few exceptions) that wish to have relations with Iran.
"Becoming a member of two international organizations was also a very important undertaking. It shows that the country is in a situation where the founders of international organizations are willing and sometimes insistent on having relations with Iran. Based on their calculations and Iran’s realities, they believe it is necessary to maintain relations with our country," said the Leader.
Imam Khamenei believes it is necessary to recognize and make timely use of the opportunities to establish relations with different countries. In referring to the government’s numerous, long-term documents of cooperation with some countries, he said it is necessary to carry out these documents of cooperation and agreements and added that they should not remain something merely written on paper.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution pointed out that some political elements are of the opinion that interactions with the world are limited to having warm, friendly relations with a few western countries. He emphatically stated, "This view is incorrect, reactionary, and belongs to 100 years ago when a few European countries controlled the world. However, that old, reactionary viewpoint needs to be put aside today. It must be realized that having relations with the world means having relations with Africa, South America, and Asia where an immense amount of human and natural resources exist. Moreover, the criterion for international relations is our nation’s interests and honor. Domination and submission should not exist in our relations."
Elsewhere in his remarks, Imam Khamenei stated that the issue of people’s livelihood is a very important matter. He said, "Problems in the area of people’s livelihood, such as high prices in housing and rent, overshadow all the good work and efforts of the government and cause their work to remain unseen."
The Leader emphasized that the main purpose of the sanctions that have been imposed against Iran are to affect people’s livelihood and hold it for ransom. "Work is being done to terminate the sanctions, and negotiations are taking place. This is the right thing to do and good. But at the same time, there should be effort made parallel to these measures to neutralize the sanctions. One of the most important indicators of having neutralized sanctions is a reduction in inflation," he added.
In responding to the statistics provided by government officials regarding a reduction in inflation, Imam Khamenei said, "This [reduction in the inflation rate] is good, but it is not enough. The two-digit inflation rate and this continuing over several consecutive years is totally unsuitable. You should try to reduce inflation as much as possible."
In another part of the meeting, Imam Khamenei also referred to the undertakings of the government in administrative departments. He praised the 13th administration for being actively present among the people and said, "We have no right to talk down to people from a position of superiority or arrogance because we are no one special, and all that exists belongs to the people. If we have been given a responsibility to fulfill, first of all, it has been given to us by the people, and secondly, our responsibility is to serve the people."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also lauded the administration for their simple lifestyle, revolutionary mindset, jihadi spirit, and their recruitment of young people in various managerial positions. In addressing the administration, he said, "Living like the people is very valuable and should be continued. Furthermore, increase communications with the elite and experts as much as you can."
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