Iran, Pakistan to strengthen bilateral ties

Pakistani and Iranian foreign ministers on Wednesday held detailed talks on Pak-Iran bilateral relations, regional and international developments, trade and economic cooperation as well as the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri and his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki noted with satisfaction the steady growth of the bilateral relations, according to a Pakistani foreign office statement issued at the end of their talks.

The statement quoted Mottaki as saying that Iran attached highest priority to relations with Pakistan.

Pakistan's exports to Iran raised by 59 percent during 2004-05 fiscal year, an encouraging sign for early achievement of the target of one billion US dollars in two-way trade. Both sides agreed to maintain the upswing, taking specific measures.

Both the foreign ministers agreed that the one-billion-dollar trade target fixed recently was easily achievable, the statement said.

Kasuri explained Pakistan's increasing energy needs due to the country's high economic growth rate. He reiterated Pakistan's interest in early implementation of the gas pipeline project.

Both sides noted that the progress of the Pak-Iran Joint Working Group which held its 4th round of talks in Tehran last month. The Pakistan-India Joint Working Group would be meeting in New Delhi on Friday and Saturday. The Iranian side was informed that Pakistan joined Energy Charter Treaty on Dec. 9.

The Pakistani foreign minister expressed sincere thanks for Iran's prompt and generous response to the earthquake that struck Pakistan on Oct. 8. He appreciated, in particular, the efficient functioning of Iran's field and mobile hospitals, the swift supply of over 10,000 tents and Iran's pledge of 200-million-dollar worth of credit for reconstruction.

Kasuri reiterated Pakistan's support for the Iran-European Union dialogue, hoping that it would be resumed soon and would lead to an amicable solution, adding that the issue should be settled within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He reiterated Pakistan's support for Iran's legitimate rights as a state party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and said that Pakistan was against the use of force on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Mottaki is paying his first visit to Pakistan since assuming office in August this year. During his two-day visit, the Iranian foreign minister will call on Pakistan's president and prime minister before leaving for Tehran on Thursday.

Source: Xinhua