ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain Thursday said Pakistan was vigilant about security of its borders and successful execution of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.
“The CPEC project can also offer huge transit benefits to Iran,” he said while talking to Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost who called on him in Islamabad.
![H.E. MR. MEHDI HONARDOOST, AMBASSADOR OF IRAN CALLED ON FEDERAL MINISTER FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, RANA TANVEER HUSSAIN IN ISLAMABAD ON JUNE 23, 2016.](http://www.dnd.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Rana-Tanveer-Hussain-and-Iranian-Ambassador-to-Pakistan-Mehdi-Honardoost.jpg)
During the meeting, the two sides discussed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including defence, defence production, energy and technology.
“Both the countries agreed to fund 0.2 million for research projects,” said a press release.
The minister invited the envoy to visit maritime facilities including the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW).
Mehdi Honardoost assured the minister of his cooperation and said that Iran was keen to further strengthen relations with Pakistan, which were mutually beneficial to the peoples of the two countries.
He also underlined the need for direct flight operation between Tehran and Islamabad.
Iran, he said, intended to expand economic cooperation with Pakistan, besides increasing regional cooperation and carrying out joint efforts in the fight against extremism and terrorism.
In May 2014, Iran and Pakistan signed nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in a bid to further expand mutual cooperation in various areas of security.
The MoUs were signed between Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif in Tehran.
According to the MoUs, the two sides agreed to set up a joint committee on border issues.
They also agreed to boost cooperation in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and money-laundering.