ISLAMABAD, Dec 14: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that Pakistan was committed to strengthening relations with Iran, besides boosting both the countries’ shared interests for the regional peace and prosperity.

The prime minister was talking with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday evening. Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri and Minister for State for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar also attended the meeting.

Welcoming the Iranian foreign minister, the prime minister thanked the Iranian government and people for earthquake relief and Teheran’s support for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the people in earthquake-hit areas.

Foreign Minister Mottaki expressed Iran’s commitment for relief and reconstruction by presenting a cheque of $100,000 to the prime minister.

Mr Mottaki said that the new Iranian government desired to develop relations with all neighbouring countries, especially with Pakistan, which shared a long history of friendship and cooperation Iran.

Stressing the need for promoting bilateral economic and trade ties, the prime minister said that bilateral relations covered a broad spectrum of interests, including security, diplomacy, economic cooperation and cultural relations. He also proposed greater Iranian investment in Pakistan and joint ventures to jointly benefit from Pakistan’s economic reforms and increasing growth.

He referred to the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project as an excellent example of regional cooperation, which would create a win-win situation for all. Citing Pakistan’s high economic growth rates, Mr Aziz said the country’s energy needs were rising and expressed the hope that energy security requirements would lead to closer cooperation between the two countries.

The prime minister expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the Makkah Summit, which, according to him, articulated the vision for the Ummah for the next decade.

Mr Aziz stressed the need for activating ECO, which could provide a closer link between Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian states.

The discussion covered international and regional issues of mutual interest, including terrorism, security and nuclear matters. Afghanistan, Kashmir and Pakistan-India relations were also discussed during the meeting.

The prime minister said Pakistan was striving for peace with its neighbours and wanted a peaceful resolution of all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. This, Mr Aziz said, would lead to peace in South Asia, helping to raise the standard of living and promote prosperity in the region. Pakistan, he said, sought the solution of the Kashmir issue in line with wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

—Online