Zardari says Pakistan wants peace, stability in the region

TEHRAN: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan and Iran should work together for the socio-economic betterment of their people and also for the stability‚ peace and development of the region.
He said this during his meeting with President-elect of Iran Hassan Rouhani at Presidential Palace in Tehran on Saturday.
President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Tehran to attend the swearing in ceremony of Rouhani as the 7th President of Islamic Republic of Iran.
During one on one meeting of the two leaders ‚ the President congratulated Hassan Rouhani on his victory in the presidential elections. He said that his victory demonstrated the confidence of the people in his leadership qualities and his abilities to steer the great Iranian nation to a new era of peace and prosperity.
The two leaders discussed host of issues of mutual interest ranging from bilateral relations to the overall regional situation and the challenges being faced by the region.
The President expressed the hope that the momentum of broadening the spectrum of bilateral relations and cooperation would not only continue but would gain further strength during the tenure of President Rouhani and the new democratic government in Pakistan.
President-elect Dr. Hassan Rouhani also congratulated the President on overseeing smooth transfer of government from one democracy to another.
Discussing various areas of cooperation between the two countries‚ the President emphasized upon the need for the two countries to putting the economic agenda on the forefront. He observed that the existing trade volume between the two countries does not do justice neither to the excellent existing state of our political ties‚ nor to the vast potential for trade that exists between the two countries. The President said that the two countries need to take corrective measures to address this anomaly.
The President also touched upon various other bilateral projects that were in pipeline such as Pak-Iran gas pipeline‚ electricity import‚ wheat export ventures‚ rail and road connectivity and emphasized upon the need for their early completion.
The President reiterated the need for strengthening physical connectivity between Pakistan and Iran and observed that extended road; rail and air-links would bring the people of the two countries further closer to each other and would help boosting trade and economic activities in the region.
Discussing regional situation‚ the President said that Pakistan was a strong proponent of peace‚ stability and development in the region. He said that Pakistan has abiding interest in the stability of the region especially the neighboring Afghanistan.
Dr. Hassan Rouhani said that he looked forward to work with the country’s leadership for further strengthening of bilateral relations of the two countries.