ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Iran agreed to further expand cooperation in shared goals of security, regional stability, trade and economy, adopting collective approach to address confronted common challenges.

“Pakistan and Iran have agreed to adopt collective and collaborative approaches to confront terrorism by fully leveraging robust institutional mechanism which already exists between two countries,” caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said in joint press stakeout after an extensive meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

He said two sides recognised that close bilateral relationship was not only imperative for shared prosperity and development of people of two countries but also an important source of stability for region.

He said during meeting, both sides agreed to establish high level consultative mechanism at level of foreign ministers. Two foreign ministers would meet alternatively in both Iran and Pakistan on regular basis to oversee progress that “Is being made in various areas of our cooperation”, he added.

Stressing need to address each other’s concerns with regard to terrorism, FM Jilani said in that respect two sides had agreed to station liaison officers on which an agreement was already in place. Liaison officers would be deployed in Turbat and Zahidan, he added.

Two sides also agreed to prioritise economic uplift of border areas. “We have also agreed to fast-track operationalization of five remaining border markets,” he said. Markets would be operationalised at earliest, he added.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that Iran and Pakistan were enjoying great geographical, historical and cultural commonalities. He said two high ranking delegations agreed to enhancing of trade and economic cooperation, expanding border markets and establishing free trade zones. He said two sides also agreed to work together to promote pilgrimage tourism and projects of energy cooperation. As regards Palestine issue, Iranian FM appreciated Pakistan’s stance of supporting Palestinians. Iranian FM wished successful and safe conduct of elections in Pakistan.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 30 2024

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