On Tuesday, 7th April 2015, the signing ceremony of the MoU between Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Health department of Austrian Federal Economic Chamber was held in the venue of Iranian Medical Council.

Present at the launch were: IRIMC President, Dr. Zali; His Excellency Dr. Stift, the Austrian Ambassador, the Commercial Counselor of the Austrian Embassy, Dr. Weingartner; IRIMC Director of International Affairs, Dr. Naghavi and members of the Supreme Council as well as other Board members of IRI Medical Council.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Zali acclaimed the agreement reached between Iranian Medical Council and Health Department of Austrian Federal economic Chamber (WKO) and hailed it as a breakthrough in the history of Iranian Medical Council.

He said:" 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."

Dr. Zali acknowledged the contributions of the IRIMC Department of International Affairs as well as great support of the Austrian Ambassador and said:" 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."

IRIMC President mentioned that Iranian Medical Council is the nation's largest independent organization in the field of medicine which strives to achieve the highest possible standards of healthcare practice nationwide. He added:" 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.

Due to put IRIMC global strategies into effect, IRMC Department of International Affairs officially began its operation since October 2013."

Dr. Zali described the clauses of the agreement and said:" 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."

Dr. Stift, the Honorable Ambassador of Austria honored the attendees and addressed the meeting.

He extended his heartfelt wishes of joy for Iranian New Year and congratulated the nuclear deal between Iran and the six world powers. He mentioned that it has been a long history of cooperation between two nations which dates back to the establishment of the first Iranian Modern Medical College where Austrian physicians had an active role.

He said:"Approximately 1500 students study in Austrian Universities and more than 1000 physicians and dentists work in Austria. Iranian doctors have contributed a lot to our national health system and I am proud of them."

He added:"Iran is known for high standards of medicine and dentistry which has made it the center of Health Tourism in the region."

The Austrian Ambassador expressed his support and willingness to put forward the agreement and said:"The agreement has opened a new chapter in the scientific collaboration between 2 countries and put the medical, dental and pharmaceutical cooperation in new level."

The ceremony was inaugurated by Dr. Naghavi, IRIMC Director of International Affairs who welcomed distinguished guests and reiterated the importance of the proclaimed agreement.

A press conference regarding the MoU between IRIMC and WKO was held on the sidelines of the meeting in which Dr. Zali and Dr. Stift briefed the media about the agreement and their drive to implement it.

Dr. Shima Naghavi, Director of International Affairs