Pakistan on Wednesday reiterated its support to the Iran-EU dialogue to resolve the row over Tehran's nuclear issue. Talking to visiting Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri expressed the hope that dialogue would be resumed soon and would lead to an amicable solution.
Mottaki is paying his first visit to Pakistan since assuming office in August this year.
Foreign Minister Kasuri said Iran's nuclear issue should be settled within the framework of IAEA.
He reiterated Pakistan's support for Iran's legitimate rights as a state party to NPT and said Pakistan is against the use of force against Iran on the nuclear issue.
The talks between the two foreign ministers centered on Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations and regional and international developments. Trade and economic co-operation as well as Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project came under close focus, he added.
The two Foreign Ministers noted with satisfaction the steady growth of bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that Iran attached highest priority to relations with Pakistan.
Pakistan's exports to Iran rose by 59 percent during 2004-05, an encouraging sign for early achievement of the target of $1 billion in two-way trade.
Both sides agreed to maintain the upswing, taking specific measures.
These would include full utilisation of preferential trade and joint investment arrangements and an early implementation of decisions taken by the Pakistan-Iran JEC on the eve of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's visit to Iran last February.
A follow-up committee would meet at secretary-level in Islamabad shortly to review progress.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed that US $1 billion trade target fixed recently was easily achievable. In this connection, Foreign Minister Kasuri said that trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan had already exceeded US $1 bi1lion. Foreign Minister Kasuri explained Pakistan's increasing energy needs due to the country's high economic growth rate.
He reiterated Pakistan's interest in early implementation of the Gas Pipeline project. Both sides noted the progress of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Working Group, which held its 4th round in Tehran last month.
The Pakistan-India Joint Working Group would be meeting in New Delhi on December 16-17. The Iranian side was informed that Pakistan joined Energy Charter Treaty on December 9.
Foreign Minister Kasuri expressed sincere thanks for Iran's prompt and generous response to the earthquake. He appreciated, in particular, the efficient functioning of Iran's field and mobile hospitals, the swift supply of over 10,000 tents and Iran's pledge of $200 million worth of credit for reconstruction.
The Iranian Minister arrived early in the day on a two-day visit. He is accompanied by a five-member delegation including a Member of Parliament, Heshmatulah Fallahpishe, and senior officials of the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
The Iranian Foreign Minister would call on the President and the Prime Minister before leaving for Tehran on Thursday.
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