PR. No.179/2007

Date: 17/07/2007

SECOND ROUND OF PAKISTAN-IRAN BILATERAL CONSULTATIONS

The Second Round of Pakistan-Iran bilateral consultations was held in Islamabad on 16-17 July 2007. The Pakistan delegation was led by Mr. Khalid Khattak, Additional Secretary (Afghanistan & ECO) and the Iranian side by Dr. Mehdi Safari, Deputy Foreign Minister (Asia, Pacific & Commonwealth Affairs). The first round of the dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries was held at Tehran in March 2007.

During the talks, the two sides held detailed discussions over bilateral subjects and on regional and international matters of mutual interest. They noted with satisfaction the steady and substantial growth in the bilateral relations in the political, economic and commercial fields and especially the growing cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Mehdi Safari also called on Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan and Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri. During these calls the focus of discussion was bilateral cooperation in commercial and economic fields and especially on the IPI Gas Pipeline Project.

Moreover, some regional and international subjects especially the situation in Afghanistan also came up in the talks. Both Pakistan and Iran reiterated their shared desire for restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan and expressed their resolve to continue to assist Afghanistan towards that end.

Islamabad

17 July, 2007