Pakistan, Iran agree to strengthen economic ties through enhanced trade, connectivity

QINGDAO (CHINA): Pakistan and Iran Saturday agreed to further strengthen the bilateral economic ties by enhancing people-to-people contacts, trade and connectivity between Gwadar and Chahbahar ports.

This was agreed in a bilateral meeting between President Mamnoon Hussain and his Iranian counterpart Dr Hassan Rouhani here.

The meeting took place at Grand Regency Hotel on the sidelines of the 18th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, being held here in the international port city of Shandong province from June 9 to10.

As the president arrived at the hotel, a large number of Chinese youngsters, wearing traditional dresses, clapped to welcome him. On his arrival at Regency Hall - the venue of the meeting, Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani received him warmly.

Both the leaders shook hands smilingly, in front of the national flags of the two countries.

The Pakistani delegation comprised Secretary Foreign Affairs Tehmina Janjua, Ambassador of Pakistan in China Masood Khalid and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

While on Iranian side were Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Muhammad Dr Javad Zarif, Minister for Oil Zain Geneh, Governor Central Bank Valiollah Seif and senior officials.

During the meeting, wide array of issues were discussed including bilateral relations, regional and global situation.

President Mamnoon Hussain underscored that Pakistan and Iran enjoyed close, cordial and fraternal relations.

He said Pakistan and Iran continued to support each other on issues of common interest.

He appreciated the statement of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in support of the just struggle of Kashmiri people.

Both the presidents agreed that the two countries should further strengthen bilateral economic relations through inter-alia enhanced bilateral trade.

They agreed that connectivity between the two sister-ports of Gwadar and Chabahar would further deepen bilateral ties through enhanced trade and people-to-people contacts.

On the issue of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), President Mamnoon Hussain expressed the hope that all parties of the JCPoA would continue to implement the agreement and uphold their commitments.

The two leaders also discussed the current global situation and agreed on the need to focus on upholding principles and rules of international law and amicably resolving various global and regional crises through diplomacy and negotiations.

Discussing the regional situation, the two leaders emphasized that peace and stability in Afghanistan was important for both Pakistan and Iran.

During the meeting, President Hassan Rouhani expressed happiness over growing relations between Iran and Pakistan and said, "Iran is ready to have mutual investment with Pakistan in various fields," according to a statement issued by Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He expressed happiness over Pakistan’s membership in SCO and said Iran supported Islamabad’s effective role in the organisation.

Highlighting the importance of maintaining regional stability and security, President Rouhani said, "We want to see a secure and stable Afghanistan, and the coordination of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan is very important for the security and development of the region".