The chairman and members of the Expediency Council in its new five-year term met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Monday, March 12.
In an address to the audience, the Leader described the formation of the Expediency Council and its enshrinement in the Iranian Constitution as a lasting wise measure that was taken by the Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran Imam Khomeini.
Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the Expediency Council is a significant and decisive organ of the Islamic system which enjoys a high status and of which elites with various political tastes and inclinations are members. He added that the council paves the way for the increased dynamism and progressiveness of the three government branches and other state organizations.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic expressed his appreciation for the sincere efforts that are being made by members of the Expediency Council, especially its chairman Hojjatoleslam Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani.
"The prerequisite for increased dynamism and vitality is that the Expediency Council in its new term should be more efficient and competent compared with its previous term. Therefore, the council should try to improve and streamline its methods and offer new initiatives in its new term," the Leader told the audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei also referred to the country's outstanding features, including the Iranian people's vigor and their making great strides that are aimed at making up for the existing retardations and also their firm adherence to religious principles and values.
"In this kind of society such a state organ as the Expediency Council, which is well versed in the country's laws and various issues and frameworks, is expected to decide on the country's expediencies - when it is needed to do so - in such a careful and delicate manner as to prevent any harm to the principles and values and also in such a way as not to create any self-made obstacles in the way of the society's rapid progress," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out.
The Leader also stated that the Islamic system's internal solidarity is among its strong points. He added that this solidarity should be manifested in the words and deeds of council members.
Referring to the fact that the presence of experienced and veteran individuals in the Expediency Council next to the young and energetic individuals adhering to principles and values has given rise to a very good and effective makeup for the council, Ayatollah Khamenei further noted that the Expediency Council should establish closer links with the elites and intellectuals at universities and Islamic seminaries with the intention of benefiting from their expert views on various issues.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that the documents that form the basis of the Expediency Council's ratifications and decisions should be compiled so that they may be used as a legal reference in the future.
"The country enjoys very favorable circumstances in which earnest efforts are being made in various scientific and social and cultural areas, and the signs of the results of the Iranian people's endeavors are also evident in the world. Therefore, under such circumstances, all state organs should deepen their trust in Almighty Allah and augment their efforts and endeavors," Ayatollah Khamenei stated in conclusion.
At the beginning of the meeting, the chairman of the Expediency Council Hojjatoleslam Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani expressed his gratitude to the Leader of the Islamic Republic for his choosing of the new makeup for the council. He said that the presence in the council of expert individuals committed to the Islamic system has created a proper atmosphere in which no certain political leaning is dominant in this significant state organ.
Hojjatoleslam Hashemi-Rafsanjani further expressed his appreciation for the good cooperation that exists between the government and the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Expediency Council.