emphasis by repetition

[kvvic]

Dear all,

Please tell me if the words below sound natural to you:

"The contract states and it is our strong belief that"

Are there any better ways to say it?

[kvvic]

What I want to say is:
1. the contract states that ...
2. it is our strong belief (which is completely in line with the contract) that ...

but I'd like to put both these statements together somehow.