ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Iran has lauded Pakistan’s responsible role in the region against terrorism and extremism, and urged all the regional countries to work together to fight the common challenges.
“I believe that all of us in this region have the same destiny. Terrorism, extremism, and violence recognize no border, no ethnicity, no religion, not sect. And it is in the interest of all of us,” the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said while addressing a joint news conference along with the Advisor to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz in Islamabad on Thursday.
“It is in the vital interest of all of us to be engaged fully in resolving these problems. So all of us are part of the solution,” he said.
Zarif said that there are massive opportunities of enhancing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran particularly in the fields of oil, gas, banking and finance.
The Iranian foreign minister said that both the countries could go ahead more expeditiously on the gas pipeline projects and in this regard the relevant ministries are in touch.
In his remarks, the advisor congratulated the Iranian foreign minister on Tehran’s nuclear deal with the world powers, and said that the implementation of the agreement will contribute to regional and international peace and security.
Sartaj Aziz expressed the confidence that it will also open new avenues of economic and commercial cooperation between Pakistan and Iran.
“Pakistan enjoys close and cordial relations with Iran deeply rooted in history, culture and geography,” the advisor said.
Earlier in a meeting between Javad Zarif and Sartaj Aziz, ways and means to enhance bilateral trade and economic ties were discussed.
The two sides expressed the resolve to expand bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including economy, trade, energy and border management for peace and security in the region. They agreed to effectively utilize the existing institutional mechanism for bilateral interactions.
Moreover, the two sides shared the views that the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries should be fully implemented to promote bilateral trade.
Highlighting the significance of cooperation in the energy sector, the two sides also emphasized the need for making progress on Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project.
