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  • Nov 1st, 2018
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Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Javad Zarif Wednesday said that "detractors" will never succeed in weakening Pakistan-Iran mutual resolve to further strengthening the bilateral relations in all areas including political, economic and defence cooperation.

The Iranian foreign minister arrived here Tuesday night on his second visit after the formation of the new government in Pakistan and held bilateral discussion with Foreign Shah Mehmood Qureshi, besides meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan.

According to media office of the PM House, the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister conveyed personal greetings and commitment of President Rouhani to work closely with Prime Minister Imran Khan for further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Reciprocating President Rouhani's message, Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated his desire to further strengthen political and economic relations with Iran. The Prime Minister said that improving relations with all neighbouring countries was one of his government's key foreign policy priorities. Bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest were discussed, it added.

It stated that Prime Minister expressed his concern at the absence of unity and continued conflicts in and among Muslim countries. In this context, he lamented the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Yemen. He offered his personal mediation to help resolve the crisis in Yemen, if all concerned parties agreed to this mediation. Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for the leadership and the people of Iran, it added.

According to a Foreign Office statement issued after the bilateral talks between the two foreign ministers, the two sides underscored the need for promoting bilateral relations in all areas including political, economic and defence cooperation.

It stated that detailed discussions were also held on regional and global issues including the situation in Afghanistan and ways to work together in the wake of re-imposition of the US sanctions on Iran.

Foreign Minister Qureshi, while welcoming his counterpart expressed his desire to strengthening the existing strong bilateral relations. He stated that frequent high-level exchanges between the two countries manifest the warmth in bilateral relations. Pakistan and Iran enjoy close brotherly relations.

"Both countries have stood by each other in difficult moments. Growing challenges in the region provide both Pakistan and Iran an opportunity to work even closer," Qureshi said.

While expressing satisfaction over cooperation with regard to the Pakistan-Iran border, it stated that the two sides agreed to continue close consultations through the established multi-pronged mechanism between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined that the Pakistan-Iran border is a border of peace and Pakistan will spare no effort to keep it this way.

"The Iranian foreign minister reiterated that Pak-Iran relations are deep rooted in complete trust and solidarity. The detractors will not succeed in weakening our mutual resolve to further strengthening our cooperation," the statement stated, adding that Foreign Minister Qureshi emphasised that this objective could only be achieved through better communication, mutual trust and understanding.

Foreign Minister Qureshi also stressed that Pakistan greatly values Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's strong and unswerving support for the just struggle of the people of Kashmir.

Foreign Minister Zarif thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their hospitality and warm welcome.

The Iranian foreign minister in his daylong visit also discussed steps for recovery of 12 Iranian border security guards.

On October 16, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said terrorists had kidnapped 12 Iranian border security guards, including local Basij volunteer forces near the town of Mirjaveh on the Pakistan-Iran border.

In a separate statement, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Javad Zarif held talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi over several issues including the release of Iranian border guards "abducted by Pakistan-based terrorists."

During the Wednesday meeting, it stated that Zarif appreciated the goodwill and efforts made by the Pakistani authorities, and highlighted the necessity of implementing previous agreements with the political and military officials of the country.

He also presented some existing strategies to strengthen the security of borders and joint operations against terrorist and criminal groups.

For his part, the Pakistani top diplomat underlined the friendship of the two countries and called for boosting communications and sharing information to address concerns, it stated. "The security of Iran means that of Pakistan, and we make all our efforts to address security concerns," Foreign Minister Qureshi was quoted by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as having conveyed to his Iranian counterpart.

The two sides also discussed different aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on the most important regional and international issues, it added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2018


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