Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri on Saturday called for a negotiated solution to Iran's nuclear issue, stressing that whereas Pakistan respected Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards. Iran should also consider measures for building international confidence in the peaceful nature of its programme, he said.
He was addressing a large gathering of leading Turkish scholars, media representatives and academies at the KOC University in Istanbul during his visit to Turkey.
He said Pakistan opposed the use of force which would aggravate the already troubled situation in the region, adding Pakistan believed that continued engagement would be critical in the efforts to find a diplomatic solution to Iran's nuclear issue.
"Iran is our close neighbour. We would like to work with it to add greater content to bilateral relations and promote peace and stability in the region. On the nuclear issue, we have clearly stated our support to a negotiated solution to Iran's nuclear issue", said Kasuri.
The foreign minister also dilated on the Indo-US nuclear agreement, saying Pakistan believed that the recent US-India Agreement on Civilian Nuclear Co-operation would have serious implications for the security environment in South Asia. A package approach would have better served the objective of strategic stability and met the legitimate energy requirements of Pakistan and India.
"We will not accept any discriminatory treatment. Pakistan merits the support of the international community, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes", he said.
Kasuri said that given the scarcity of fossil fuel reserves, Pakistan needs to generate 8,800 MW of nuclear power by 2020 to cater to its growing energy needs.
He was effusive in praising the Turkish people and its government for their assistance during the earthquake of October 8, 2005.
He said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the first foreign leader to visit Pakistan and convey the deep sympathies of the brotherly people of Turkey. "We heard poignant stories of love and affection for Pakistan. Such spontaneous outpourings all across Turkey truly touched the hearts of our people. We are ever so grateful to our Turkish brethren", said Kasuri.
He said Pakistan and Turkey were bound in eternal ties of brotherhood. It is a very special relationship, marked by a rich reserve of mutual goodwill.
"Our interests are common and our perceptions convergent on various regional and international issues. We are committed equally strongly to a stable and secure world order - one, which is based on freedom, fair-play and justice. We are both in the vanguard of the international campaign against terror. We are equally keen on promoting interfaith harmony and understanding."
He said the trade between the two countries increased by 22.19 percent last year, reaching nearly half a billion dollars.
"We are determined to raise it to one billion dollars within two years. We are working on a Preferential Trade Agreement and have exchanged lists of products for tariff reduction. A delegation from Pakistan would shortly visit Turkey to wrap up the agreement. In addition, our Joint Ministerial Commission would be meeting in Islamabad in August this year", he added.
Kasuri said Pakistan has been pursuing peace and stability in the region.
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