IRNA - Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei met via videoconference with the members of the cabinet today (Sunday), stating that the economy of the country should not be linked to foreign developments in any way because it is a strategic error, adding that economic planning for the country should not be suspended to the lifting of sanctions or the result of such other countries elections.

The Supreme Leader attended the meeting to hear the reports offered to the ongoing session by President Hassan Rouhani and some of his ministers.

Ayatollah Khamenei used to receive the cabinet ministers on the occasion of National Government Week every year, but, the meeting was held online this year due to the safety health protocols of the coronavirus pandemic.

The following is an excerpt of the statements his eminence made at this meeting:

"Government Week is an occasion for reporting this year�s governmental services and examining weak and strong points. Speak directly to the people. Tell them about both your achievements and shortcomings, both what you were able to achieve and what you should have done but did not."

"Try to finish projects the administration promised to do: projects to construct 600,000 homes, projects of the Ministry of Power and Energy, construction of refineries, measures for knowledge-based companies and actions for combating coronavirus. All should be pursued seriously."

"National production is key to employment, welfare, reducing inflation, and increasing the power of the national currency. An obstacle to production is unneeded imports such as luxury products. Last year, half a billion dollars were spent to import luxury US mobiles. The government must stop this."