Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

This is a great honor for me to deliver an inaugural address on the auspicious occasion of signing ceremony of the MoU between Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber's Health department which undoubtedly will be a milestone in the history of Iranian Medical Council.

I highly welcome His Excellency Dr. Stift, the Austrian Ambassador, Mr. Weingartner, the Commercial Counselor of the Austrian Embassy, Ms. Saidi, the Marketing manager of the Austrian Embassy's Commercial Section and all of IRIMC member colleagues.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues in the department of International Affairs because of their earnest efforts to make the department a complete success and want to extend my sincerest appreciation to Dr. Stift whom without support this MoU and good relationship could not be achieved.

Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRIMC) is the nation's largest independent and Non-Governmental Organization in the field of medicine. Founded in 1964, Iranian Medical Council is responsible for licensing, authorization, and registration of all health care professionals (except nurses) to practice in Iran as well as advocacy for health care professionals' and patients' right. All Iranian medical, dental and pharmaceutical associations are affiliated to IRIMC and it regulates bi or multilateral collaborations between health care professionals and other associations and organizations nationwide. IRIMC strives to achieve the highest possible standards of healthcare practice through holding continued medical & dental educational programs and active cooperation with national scientific medical and dental associations.

When I took office on May 2013 with the vote of Iranian health care professionals, the idea of global partnership for health enshrined in my objectives and schemes for the 9th term of IRIMC presidency.

 It can be described as active International collaboration with certified medical, dental and pharmaceutical associations as well as councils which includes interchange of academic & scientific information between Iranian health care professionals and their counterparts around the globe.

The outcome flourishes the national academic ambience and will lead to improved and sustainable health care which is in accordance with UN 2015 Millennium Development Goals and the main objectives of IRIMC Constitutions and ByLaws.

Due to put IRIMC global strategies into effect, IRMC Department of International Affairs officially began its operation since October 2013. Many remarkable achievements have been obtained since the department established and we will continue to strive for excellence everyday.

The Cooperation and Affiliation Agreement between Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Austrian Federal Economic Chamber's Health department will enhance cooperation between Iranian & Austrian health care professionals-the first ever to be performed in Iranian Medical Council.

Under this agreement, the types of cooperation may include reciprocal exchange of experts and prominent health care professionals, collaborative research projects, exchange of publications, reports or other academic information, participation of Iranian and Austrian health care professionals at seminars, congresses, and events in the medical field, cooperation between hospitals, collaborative professional development and other activities as mutually agreed.

The agreement will remain in full force and effect for an initial period of 3 years and can fulfill the objectives of IRIMC global strategies.

Once again, I do appreciate the support of Dr. Stift and consistent efforts of my colleagues in the department of International Affairs.

Thank you for your time and attention.