Iranian FM, Pakistani PM Discuss Closer Ties (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan held talks about a host of topics, including ways to boost bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries and latest regional developments.
Speaking at the meeting in Islamabad on Friday, Zarif underlined the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries, including efforts to connect Iran’s port city of Chabahar to Pakistan’s Gwadar.
He further called for using the capacities of the two port cities in line with the two countries’ national interests.
The Pakistani Prime Minister, for his part, pointed to his last month’s visit to Iran and voiced Islamabad’s willingness to expand ties and cooperation with Tehran in various areas.
In a separate meeting held on the same day, Zarif and the speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Asad Qaiser, exchanged views about a range of issues, including ways to boost parliamentary relations between the two countries.
Zarif, who has stepped up diplomatic contacts with Asian governments in recent weeks, arrived in Islamabad on Thursday night for an official visit.
In April, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan paid a landmark visit to Iran with a big delegation to sign agreements with Tehran.
In a joint press conference with the Pakistani premier, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the two countries are resolved to expand relations, stressing that no third party could ever disrupt the brotherly and friendly ties between the two nations.
Rouhani said Iran is prepared to fulfill Pakistan’s demands for oil and gas and voiced the country’s readiness for a 10-fold increase in the export of electricity to Pakistan.
