President
Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Friday
agreed to further strengthening bilateral cooperation and mutual
engagement in diverse fields for socio-economic development of the
people of two countries besides promoting stability, peace, development
and shared prosperity of the region.
They also expressed the resolve for enhancing mutual coordination for
countering terrorism, narcotics control and human trafficking besides
sanitizing the borders from the terrorists.
The two leaders held wide ranging discussion on bilateral, regional and international issues during the meeting here in the Iranian capital, which was also attended by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Petroleum Minister Dr. Asim Hussain, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran and spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar. Ms Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari was also present.
Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, ways and means to further broadening the existing cooperation in various areas with particular focus on the promotion of trade and investment ties and rail and road links between the two countries, the early realization of Iran Pakistan gas pipeline, and other matters of regional connectivity were discussed during the meeting.
The President while commenting on the fight against militancy said that the whole region was facing the common enemy of militancy and urged for a joint strategy and mutual cooperation to curb violent extremism.
The President while suggesting Iran to consider ways and means to create an Integrated Border Management Regime between Pakistan and Iran said that both the sides need to intensify consultations and take pragmatic steps for meeting the challenge of militancy and extremism, on one hand, and for regional stability and peace, on the other, as both the countries have vital interests in the stability and peace of the region.
The President said that Pakistan and Iran may consider undertaking joint economic projects in Afghanistan in order to enhance connectivity, build infrastructure, rail and road links as well as trilateral cooperation in other mega projects.
He said that Pakistan and Iran face a common menace of drug trafficking across their borders and expressed the hope that a mechanism in the form of Trilateral initiative (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) would help counter narcotics trafficking in the region.
The President said, “We need to take full advantage for our geo-strategic locations for ushering in new era of development in our countries, in particular, and in the whole region.”
The President urged for further deepening Pak-Iran bilateral cooperation in all areas particularly trade, energy, security, communication and infrastructure. Pakistan attaches great importance to its cordial equation with Iran and regards Iran as an important friend and player in the region, he added.
President Zardari said that he had discussed upgradation of Pakistan-Iran-Turkey rail transport system with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
“We believe that a fast cargo train that connects Pakistan to Turkey via Iran would be a win-win mega project that would enhance regional connectivity and boost regional trade,” he added.
The President said that considerable work had been done in the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and it was important now to move towards the implementation phase of the project.
The President said: “We must find ways and means to bring about a quantitative increase in our bilateral trade to at least four billion dollars in the next few years which is, at present, only one billion dollars.”
He said, “We must work together to identify impediments to full implementation of our Preferential Trade Agreement concluded in 2006.” A bilateral Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement may also be considered, the President suggested.
Discussing regional situation especially the developments in Afghanistan, the President said that Pakistan supports the process initiated by President Karzai for national reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan.
“We have always stressed that reconciliation process must be Afghan led and Afghan owned process. We have offered and are ready to provide all possible assistance in capacity building of Afghan institutions,” the President said.
He said that Afghanistan should not again become a play-field for proxy wars or civil strife after the withdrawal of NATO/ISAF forces. The President said that both Pakistan and Iran have vital interests in the stability and peace in Afghanistan.
The Iranian leadership welcoming President Zardari appreciated the role Pakistan was playing in the promotion of regional stability and peace and for its keen interest in further strengthening existing cordial equation with Iran. APP
Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, ways and means to further broadening the existing cooperation in various areas with particular focus on the promotion of trade and investment ties and rail and road links between the two countries, the early realization of Iran Pakistan gas pipeline, and other matters of regional connectivity were discussed during the meeting.
The President while commenting on the fight against militancy said that the whole region was facing the common enemy of militancy and urged for a joint strategy and mutual cooperation to curb violent extremism.
The President while suggesting Iran to consider ways and means to create an Integrated Border Management Regime between Pakistan and Iran said that both the sides need to intensify consultations and take pragmatic steps for meeting the challenge of militancy and extremism, on one hand, and for regional stability and peace, on the other, as both the countries have vital interests in the stability and peace of the region.
The President said that Pakistan and Iran may consider undertaking joint economic projects in Afghanistan in order to enhance connectivity, build infrastructure, rail and road links as well as trilateral cooperation in other mega projects.
He said that Pakistan and Iran face a common menace of drug trafficking across their borders and expressed the hope that a mechanism in the form of Trilateral initiative (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan) would help counter narcotics trafficking in the region.
The President said, “We need to take full advantage for our geo-strategic locations for ushering in new era of development in our countries, in particular, and in the whole region.”
The President urged for further deepening Pak-Iran bilateral cooperation in all areas particularly trade, energy, security, communication and infrastructure. Pakistan attaches great importance to its cordial equation with Iran and regards Iran as an important friend and player in the region, he added.
President Zardari said that he had discussed upgradation of Pakistan-Iran-Turkey rail transport system with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
“We believe that a fast cargo train that connects Pakistan to Turkey via Iran would be a win-win mega project that would enhance regional connectivity and boost regional trade,” he added.
The President said that considerable work had been done in the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and it was important now to move towards the implementation phase of the project.
The President said: “We must find ways and means to bring about a quantitative increase in our bilateral trade to at least four billion dollars in the next few years which is, at present, only one billion dollars.”
He said, “We must work together to identify impediments to full implementation of our Preferential Trade Agreement concluded in 2006.” A bilateral Pakistan-Iran Free Trade Agreement may also be considered, the President suggested.
Discussing regional situation especially the developments in Afghanistan, the President said that Pakistan supports the process initiated by President Karzai for national reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan.
“We have always stressed that reconciliation process must be Afghan led and Afghan owned process. We have offered and are ready to provide all possible assistance in capacity building of Afghan institutions,” the President said.
He said that Afghanistan should not again become a play-field for proxy wars or civil strife after the withdrawal of NATO/ISAF forces. The President said that both Pakistan and Iran have vital interests in the stability and peace in Afghanistan.
The Iranian leadership welcoming President Zardari appreciated the role Pakistan was playing in the promotion of regional stability and peace and for its keen interest in further strengthening existing cordial equation with Iran. APP
