ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: Pakistan and Iran signed four agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding Tuesday to enhance bilateral relationship.
The agreements relate to trade, plant quarantine, and science and technology.
The signing ceremony held at the foreign office was attended by ministers of both the countries and members of the Iranian delegation.
Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance, Shaukat Aziz, Commerce Minister, Hamayun Akhtar and Food Minister, Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind signed the agreements on behalf of Pakistan while Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Kamal Kharazi and Minister for Road and Transport, Ahmed Khorram, inked the pacts on behalf of their country.
The memorandum puts emphasis on improvement in trade and economic relations between the two countries. It held that there was room for improvement considering the deep friendship between the two countries.
The MoU stressed that the areas of oil and gas, electricity, education, joint venture, diversity in trade, setting up of free trade zones, software technology, agriculture, auto parts, etc., should be explored for further cooperation.
Particular stress was laid on the establishment of fibre link and improvement in communication and transportation between the two countries. Efforts will be made to improve the Railways system in both the countries in order to connect the two railway systems.
The road transportation system between the two countries would also be streamlined. Measures to strengthen anti-smuggling measures would also be taken.
Exchange of know-how in technical and scientific matters was also agreed upon. Other areas where cooperation was proposed included oil and gas sector, health, media, and small and medium enterprises.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri told this news agency that the agreements would prove a milestone in further enhancing ties between the two countries.
He said there was a great potential to deepen the relations and these agreements would provide a structural base for it. —APP
