December 24, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 19, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami and President Gen Pervez Musharraf held wide-ranging talks on Monday and agreed to work together to forge unity in the Ummah.

The two held talks on bilateral, regional and global issues within hours of President Khatami’s arrival on a three-day state visit.

They underlined the importance of relations for mutual security and progress as well as for regional peace and stability, said a statement issued here by the foreign office.

The two presidents expressed their resolve to strengthen ties and cooperation between the two countries. President Musharraf specially emphasized the need for enhanced bilateral economic cooperation.

President Khatami stated that peoples of Pakistan and Iran were united by history and geography, and there was a need to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Briefing President Khatami on the India-Pakistan relations, President Musharraf reiterated Islamabad’s desire to peacefully resolve all outstanding issues, particularly the core dispute of Kashmir.

Gen Musharraf invited the visiting dignitary’s attention to the massacre of Muslims in the Indian state of Gujarat.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and hoped to work closely for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and establishment of durable peace there.

The Palestinian issue also figured at talks with the two leaders reiterating their support for the struggle of the Palestinian people for their national rights.

Earlier, President Khatami and his delegation were accorded a warm welcome by Foreign Minister Mian Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on their arrival at the PAF Chaklala base.

The 110-member Iranian entourage includes ministers for foreign affairs, defence and road and transportation.

President Khatami was driven to Aiwan-i-Sadr where President Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali received him.

The Iranian leader was given a state welcome and presented a tri-service guard of honour.

Later, at a ceremony, President Musharraf conferred Nishan-i-Pakistan, the highest civil award of the country, on President Khatami.

Prime Minister Jamali will lead the Pakistan side at official talks with President Khatami on Tuesday.

President Khatami is the first head of state to visit Pakistan after the installation of a civilian government in the country.

On Monday night, President Musharraf hosted a state banquet in honour of President Khatami. Cabinet ministers, diplomats and eminent personalities attended the banquet.