Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (C) poses for a picture with his counterparts from Pakistan, Sartaj Aziz (L), and Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, during the opening session of a two-day ministerial conference of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), which groups 10 Asian and Eurasian countries, in Tehran on November 26, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
"Iran and Pakistan have decided to fast track discussions on the I-P Gas Pipeline Project in order to formulate a road map and a more realistic time schedule for the implementation of this important project," a press release issued by the foreign office read .
Sartaj Aziz is in Tehran to participate in the 21st Meeting of the Council of Ministers of ten member Economic Cooperation Organisation.
The Foreign Office statement went on to add that, "It was agreed that comprehensive technical commercial proposals on the I-P Gas Pipeline would be discussed in Tehran between Inter-State Gas System Ltd of Pakistan and the Iranian nominated company – Tadbir Energy Gaspar Iranian Co. in the first week of December."
Aziz and Zarif discussed relations between the two countries and matters of bilateral cooperation among other global issues.
"It was also agreed to hold the next round of Joint Ministerial Commission in Tehran early next year."
Earlier, while addressing the ECO Ministerial meeting, Sartaj Aziz reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment to the aims and objectives of the Organisation.
"Recalling the ECO’s aim of promoting sustainable economic cooperation, the Advisor remarked that it had a solid program of cooperation, a forward looking agenda and an expanding horizon of activities.
"He observed that ECO had made reasonable progress and needed to show more proactive approach so that the benefits directly affect the lives of the people of the Region."
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@Bakhtiyar Ghazi Khan,
Did you say pakistan successor of mughal empire?
@Abbas: In the post-2014 security scenario, an undersea pipeline looks more viable for India. If you want to build a pipeline over the Himalayas, good luck to you.
The best way to route the pipeline is through India to China. Everyone gains. Iran gets a larger sale. India gets an arrangement where it would cost Pakistan a lot politically to interrupt the supply to India. This arrangement should set at rest Indian fears of Pakistan cutting off their gas supply. All win. A full win-win situation. Let us go for it.
Turkey, Pakistan, and Iran should further consolidate their alliance, being successor nations of 3 strongest Muslim empires in history, Ottoman, Safavid, Mughal, respectively. The power dynamics favor a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic Muslim alliance to achieve greater stability and resist foreign adventurism. There is great potential here for a Muslim superpower alliance emerging.
@alladitta:
Alladitta from India,
Iran has made the necessary concessions to the US demands the next six months will enable the US to loosen the sanctions regime. It is time for India to get on board or the gas may go onwards to China.
Didnt Iran already built its side of the pipeline and pakistan has yet to start?
Its more like pakistan needs to put its plan on fast track. Iran is already done
Lets hope something solid comes out of this because it is vital that this goes through.
Just a take from todays news; Fast track IP pipeline, setup nuclear power plant like yesterday, allot 3G/4G tele-network immediately. A word of caution my Pakistani neighbour, slow down, do not burn your fingers/mullah beard with the supersonic speed of development and progress. By the way where is the money coming from, who are you going to ask for a handout now. :)). alladitta from India.
This is great news, regional integration is the key, otherwise we will be nothing more than pawns in superpowers's hands