Pakistan, Iran resolve to expand ties in political, security domains

Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran Monday resolved to expand their cooperation especially in the political and security domains.

The understanding came at a meeting between Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Islamabad.

Later addressing a joint news conference, Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said: “The threat of terrorism poses a common challenge to both the countries. We have agreed to adopt collective and collaborative approaches to confront this menace by full leveraging the robust institutional mechanism that already exists between the two countries”.

The respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity remains the fundamental principle of this cooperation, added the minister Jilani.

Sharing important outcomes of the meeting with the Iranian counterpart, Jalil Abbas said they have agreed to establish a high level consultative mechanism at the level of the foreign ministers which will meet alternatively in both Iran and Pakistan on regular basis to oversee the progress that is being made in various areas of cooperation.

The Foreign Minister stated, ‘There was an agreement to cooperate to fight terrorism in our respected areas. We need to address and allay each other's concerns with regard to terrorism and in this connection, the two sides have agreed to station the liaison officers at the earliest date. These liaison officers will be deployed in Turbat and Zahedan’.

Jalil Abbas Jilani continued to say that both the sides have agreed to prioritize economic uplift and development of their border areas.  It has been agreed to fast track operationalization of five remaining border markets.

He further said: “The two sides recognized that close relationship between our two countries is not only imperative for shared prosperity and development of our peoples but also an important source of stability for the region. This bilateral relationship is underpinned by strong bonds of amity and brotherhood.

In his remarks, the Iranian Foreign Minister said both the countries enjoy great cultural, geographical and historic commonalities.

He said given the history of these relations, there have never been any territorial differences or border problems. This is a manifestation of our good bilateral relations. They in fact are a single nation located in two different geographical positions.

The Iranian Foreign Minister said his country considers Pakistan's security as the security of Iran and the whole region.

Both the countries strongly respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian added, categorically stating that through joint cooperation, the two countries will not allow the terrorists to endanger our common security.

The Iranian counetrpart added, ‘We have agreed that our borders will be translated into borders of trade, development and progress’.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian futher stated that the two sides have also agreed to expand pilgrimage tourism and finalize projects on energy cooperation.

The Iranian Foreign Minister also appreciated Pakistan's stance in support of Palestinian people.