ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran have underlined the need to promote bilateral relations in all areas of cooperation.
The understanding came during meeting of the visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad today.
They held detailed discussions on regional and global issues including the situation in Afghanistan and US decision to unilaterally withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action .
Shah Mahmood Qureshi noted the potential for strengthening the already strong bilateral relationship. Pakistan and Iran have stood by each other in difficult moments.
It was agreed to host the next rounds of Bilateral Political Consultations and the Joint Economic Commission at early dates. Useful exchange of views on strengthening cooperation in economic, trade and connectivity sectors, cultural and people to people links, took place. While expressing satisfaction over cooperation with regard to the Pakistan-Iran border, it was agreed to continue close consultations through various forums in this regard.
The Foreign Minister stressed that Pakistan greatly values Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s strong and unswerving support for the just struggle of the people of Kashmir.
Supporting Iran’s principled stance on nuclear accord with world powers, Mr. Qureshi expressed the hope that remaining parties to the Agreement would uphold their commitments in letter and spirit. This was important given IAEA’s repeated verification that Iran has strictly adhered to the terms of agreement. He said that Pakistan stands with Iran in this hour of need.
Foreign Minister Zarif congratulated the Foreign Minister that Pakistan’s strong protest against the blasphemous caricature competition had led to cancellation of the event. Muslim countries needed to confront Islamophobic tendencies with one voice.
