ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Iran reiterated their resolve to enhance the level of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields, including trade, economy and energy, Radio Pakistan reported.

This was stated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani while talking to media after holding talks in the federal capital on Friday evening.

The prime minister said the two countries have decided to open two new border crossing points to encourage trade and economic activities and facilitate people to people contacts.

Nawaz hoped that the additional crossing points would greatly reduce the travel time and contribute towards economic integration of the region.

The prime minister noted that the two countries enjoy cordial and fraternal ties embedded in shared history, culture and faith. He said it was his third meeting with the Iranian president which reflected warmth and depth of relations between the two countries.

The Iranian president said the two countries “took stock of the existing state of relations and how to enhance economic interaction”.

“We talked about issues relating to energy, gas and export of electricity.”

Rouhani talked about exploring the possibility of having closer relationship and better connectivity between Gwadar and Iranian port of Chahbahar.

The Iranian president said “Pakistan's security is our security and Iran's security is Pakistan's security”. He said the two countries have to join hands for more secure and peaceful borders.

Read: Lifting of Iran sanctions

Earlier, the Iranian president arrived in Islamabad on a two-day official visit.

Upon arrival he was accorded a warm welcome by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

President Mamnoon Hussain will host a luncheon in his honour at President House.

The Iranian president is also scheduled to speak at a gathering of Pakistan's prominent scholars and intellectuals on Saturday.

The visit of Iranian leader is significant in the wake of sanctions being lifted on Iran, which has opened new avenues for enhancing trade and commerce cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

This will be Dr Rouhani’s first visit to Pakistan as the president of Iran. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials and businessmen.