Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said that he will undertake important visit to Iran and Saudi Arabia this month. "I would discuss important regional and international issues with the Iranian and Saudi leaders," Aziz told reporters in his parliament chambers. This will be Pakistani Prime Minister first visit to Iran since he assumed office in August last year.

"My visit will be of great importance," the Prime Minister said.

"I will try to explore ways to further strengthen relations with the two Muslim nations and to push forward Pakistan's priorities," he said.

Aziz admitted to have shaken hands with Israeli Foreign Minister when the two were in Davos for world economic conference. But he denied any meeting with the Israeli Foreign Minister.

"I shook hands with a man when I was walking in the conference building, but I did not recognise that he is Israeli FM," Aziz said. He said that he was told later that the man he shook hands was Israeli Foreign Minister.

He said with the postponement of the Saarc and failure of talks on Baghlihar dam the dialogue process with India will not be affected and the composite dialogue would continue to resolve all outstanding issues.

Copyright News Network International, 2005