TEHRAN/ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Kh Asif Monday called on Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran and exchanged views on the latest regional situation and different aspects of the bilateral relations in wake of the recent policy announced by US President Donald Trump, a statement released by the foreign ministry said.
Both leaders “discussed strengthening of brotherly relations between the two countries rooted in common history, culture and people-to-people ties and reaffirmed the mutual desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation,” the Foreign Office (FO) said. In a more comprehensive meeting, the foreign ministers of Iran and Pakistan discussed “bilateral relations and the prevailing regional situation, including efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.”
They agreed that only a political solution could bring peace in Afghanistan and underscored the importance of countries in the region in peace efforts.
The foreign minister expressed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries and emphasised the need to focus on promoting trade, economic cooperation and connectivity. Zarif reaffirmed Iran’s desire to deepen relations with Pakistan in trade, investment, connectivity and border management among other fields, the statement said. “They shared deep concern over human rights violations in Indian-held Kashmir and atrocities in Burma, agreeing on the need for urgent humanitarian efforts for Rohingya Muslims,” the statement said. Earlier, talking to Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) at the Islamabad airport before leaving for Tehran, Kh Asif said that neighbours of Afghanistan need to agree on a common approach towards Afghanistan problem. “Basically my main purpose of the visit to Iran is to evolve some consensus amongst the neighbours of Afghanistan, because peace in Afghanistan will have a comprehensive effect on the rest of the region,” he said.
Published in Daily Times, September 12th 2017.
