Pakistan, Iran agree to expedite activities against terrorists in their respective areas

ISLAMABAD (APP) – Pakistan and Iran on Monday agreed to further expand cooperation in the shared goals of security, regional stability, trade and economy, adopting a collective approach to address the confronted common challenges.

“Pakistan and Iran have agreed to expedite activities against terrorists in their respecftive areas. They also agreeed to adopt collective and collaborative approaches to confront the terrorism by fully leveraging the robust institutional mechanism which already exists between the two countries,” Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said in a joint press stakeout after an extensive meeting with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

He said the two sides recognized that the close bilateral relationship were not only imperative for shared prosperity and development of the people of the two countries but also an important source of stability for the region. He said during the meeting, the both sides agreed to establish a high level consultative mechanism at the level of the foreign ministers of the two countries.

“This high-level mechanism will meet alternatively in both Iran and Pakistan on a regular basis to oversee the progress that is being made in various areas of our cooperation,” said the foreign minister.

Stressing the need to address each others’ concerns with regard to terrorism, FM Jilani said in this connection the two sides had agreed to station liaison officer on which an agreement was already in place. These liaison officers, he said, would be deployed in Turbat and Zahidan.

The foreign minister maintained that the visit of his Iranian counterpart testified deep commitment of both sides to further strengthen the bilateral relations. He said during the meeting, respect of territorial integrity remained the foundational principle of bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, the two sides also agreed to prioritize economic uplift of the border areas of the two countries. “We have also agreed to fast track the operationalizing of the five remaining border markets,” he said adding that these border markets would be operationalize in the earliest dates. Foreign Minister of Iran Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the occasion said Iran and Pakistan were enjoying great geographical, historical and cultural commonalities.

“If we look at the history of Pakistan and Iran there have never been any case of territorial differences or border problems between the two countries which was one of the clear manifestation of friendly bilateral relations,” he added. He said Iran considered Pakistan as its brotherly, neighborly and friendly country. “Both countries strongly respect territorial integrity of each other,” he said.

The Iranian foreign minister said it was agreed that the two countries would not let the terrorists to endanger the security of border areas. “In a loud voice, we will tell to all terrorist that we (Iran and Pakistan) will not provide them with any opportunity to endanger our common security.” He said there was no doubt that the terrorist located in common border areas of the two countries were supported by the third countries. He said in the meeting, the two high ranking delegations had agreed together in order to take further actions as soon as possible with respect to the border security, necessity of fighting against terrorism, expansion of trade and economic cooperation, expansion of border markets and establishment of free trade zones.

He said the two sides also agreed to work together to promote the pilgrimage tourism and projects of energy cooperation. As regards the Palestine issue, the Iranian FM appreciated Pakistan’s stance of supporting the people of Palestine. He also reiterated his country’s resolve to continue to support the people of Palestine and the Palestine resistance. He also wished successful and safe election of Pakistan.

Replying to a question with respect to the recent incidents, FM Jilani said that due to deep and historical bilateral relationships, the two sides were able to resolve the misunderstandings very quickly. He said Pakistan also extended invitation to the President of Iran to visit Pakistan. He hoped that the visit of the Iranian president to Pakistan would take place any time after the general elections.