FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI RECEIVES MEDIA DELEGATION FROM IRAN

 

A five-member media delegation from Iran representing “Iran Daily”, “Tehran Times” and “Zahidan Morning” called on Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi today. The Foreign Minister briefed the delegation about the warm and cordial state of Pakistan-Iran relations and the role Pakistan has been playing to promote peace and stability in the region.

The Foreign Minister said that Pakistan and Iran have strong relations anchored in history, common faith and cultural affinities. The government and the people of Pakistan have immense affection for Iran . He said since the democratic Government in Pakistan took over last year, relations between our two countries have come a long way, including agreement on the long-pending Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline. The Foreign Minister said that the current bilateral trade, which is close to the tune of US$ 1 billion, was not representative of the potential and political goodwill existing between the two countries. The Foreign Minister added that Pakistan would like to see the bilateral trade and economic relations increasing manifold in the years ahead to our mutual benefit.

The Foreign Minister emphasized the need for injecting more vitality into the Economic Cooperation Organization for the benefit of all its members

Foreign Minister Qureshi said that there were elements who wanted to create misunderstanding between our two countries through their nefarious designs and actions. Pakistan-Iran should be cognizant of such forces, underlining that our relations were strong and deep-rooted and could take care of such anti Pakistan-Iran forces. He also said that ongoing cooperation between our two countries would be able to tackle issues related to terrorism, smuggling and trans-national organized crimes. In this regard, the trilateral process involving Pakistan , Iran and Afghanistan is also playing an important role.

Briefing the delegation about Pakistan 's relations with India , the Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan 's desire to create durable peace in South Asia by resolving all outstanding disputes with India .

Members of the delegation thanked the Foreign Minister for receiving them and undertook to contribute positively towards further promoting and strengthening mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

 

Islamabad

27 October 2009