Pakistan, Iran agree to refocus on bilateral economic cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran on Tuesday agreed to focus on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation at the end of the seventh round of the annual bilateral political consultations between the two countries.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry participated in the consultations with the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ibrahim Rahimpour in Tehran on April 29, 2014.

All areas of bilateral cooperation including political, security, economic and cultural issues were discussed.

The foreign secretary highlighted Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's vision of a peaceful neighbourhood for economic development and prosperity and underlined Pakistan's desire to further strengthen existing bonds with Iran.

Both sides agreed to focus on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation for the common good of both nations.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest and agreed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is vital for the stability of the region.

Earlier, the foreign secretary met Iran’s Deputy Head of Supreme National Security Council, who appreciated the existing brotherly relations between the two neighbours. The foreign secretary underlined the need for Pakistan and Iran to continue to work together for stability, peace and development of the region.

The Foreign Secretary also addressed a gathering of research scholars and associates in the Iranian Institute of Political and International Studies. He discussed with them a host of bilateral and regional issues of concern and interest to both Pakistan and Iran.