Press TV - Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has stressed the importance of the strengthening of economic cooperationbetween Tehran and Islamabad, saying Tehran is ready to export gas and electricity to Pakistan.
Zarif made the remarks in a meeting withSpeaker of Pakistans National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in Tehran on Saturday.
He added that Iran and Pakistan enjoy very good relations not only in the diplomatic arena but also in parliamentary, security and economic sectors, expressing the Islamic Republics readiness to further expand such ties.
We welcome Islamabads participation in the project to develop[Irans southeastern] port of Chabahar, Zarif said.
Chabahar is located inthe Gulf ofOman onthe border withPakistan. It is the closest and best access point of Iran to the Indian Ocean.
The security of Pakistan is of high significance for the Islamic Republic of Iran, the top Iranian diplomat also pointed out.
Common Iran-Pakistan stance on regional peace
The top Pakistani parliamentarian, in turn,said Tehran and Islamabad share views on the importance of the establishment ofpeace and security in the region and the reinforcement ofunity in the Muslim world.
He called on Iran to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a collection of infrastructure projects currently under construction throughout Pakistan.
Zarif and Sadiq also urged a joint campaignagainst terrorism and extremist groups.
Iran-Pakistan pivotal role in terror fight
Also on Saturday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said the Islamic Republic and Pakistan have very close views on approaches towardsolving regional issues, stressing that the two countries play an influential role in the fight against terrorism.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"]
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (R) and Speaker of Pakistans National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq attend a joint press conference in Tehran on April 22, 2017. (Photo by IRNA)[/caption]The two countries are making efforts to establish lasting peace and security in the region, Larijani said in a joint press conference with the speaker of Pakistans National Assembly following their meeting.
He described Pakistan as a friendly neighboring country to Iran and added that Islamabad has played a leading role in promoting peace in the region.
We have held very close talks in various regional and international bodiesand we have very close views on how to settleregional issues, the top Iranian parliamentarian said.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="555"]
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (R) and Speaker of Pakistans National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq meet in Tehran on April 22, 2017. (Photo by IRNA)[/caption]He noted that Tehran and Islamabad seekto bolster economic cooperation and called for the adoption ofnecessary strategies to increase the level of trade ties to nearly USD 5 billion.
Need for unity reinforcement
The speaker of Pakistans National Assembly, for his part,stressed the importance of taking steps to reinforce unity among Muslims and to fight terrorism.
Sadiq further said his country attachesimportance to bolstering relations with Iran, adding that the two sides would not allow minor differences to turn into major issues.
He noted that Iran and Pakistan had agreed to improve military cooperation and hold regular meetings between the security advisors of the two countries.
Sadiq is on an official visit to Iran at the invitation of the top Iranian parliamentarian to hold talks with senior authorities of the country.
