Pakistan and Iran have stressed that parliamentary relations and people-to-people contacts are two key factors in strengthening relations between the two countries, says a joint statement issued at the conclusion of Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza's visit to Iran.
Dr Fehmida Mirza leading a high-ranking delegation visited Iran on official invitation of her Iranian counterpart Dr Ali Larjani. During her visit Dr Fehmida Mirza met Iranian President, Minister for Foreign Affairs, members of Women Parliamentary Faction and Iran-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The joint statement called for enhanced co-operation and communication between the parliamentary standing committees, particularly security and foreign relations, economy, legal affairs, culture and education committee that parliamentary relations and people-to-people contacts for further strengthening relations between the two countries.
They underscored the importance of continued closer contacts between women parliamentarians of the two countries and encouraged regular exchange of delegations. Agreed to enhance co-operation in the field of research on issues of common interest since being two important independent Islamic countries of the region they have significant academic, scientific and research base.
For this purpose, the Islamic Parliament of Iran declared its readiness to make available to the National Assembly of Pakistan the researches undertaken by the Research Centre of Parliament on legislative and other related issues.
Considering the valuable parliamentary experiences of the two countries, agreed on exchanging such experiences and information between the two parliaments particularly concerning parliamentary management, lawmaking procedure, codification and ratification of laws on investment, border trades, judicial assistance, commercial and customs co-operation through holding regular meetings between the relevant experts of the two parliaments.
Underlined the need for expanding and enhancing economic and commercial co-operation between the two countries commensurate with the high potentials existing in this field. They also supported taking all measures in this regard, particularly removal of impediments to trade to realise these potentials, since more trade rather than aid is solution to the economic problems. Underscored their deep commitment to eliminate terrorism and extremism, combat drug trafficking and organised crime, and promote socio-economic development in the region.
Underlined the need to settle all international disputes by peaceful means through dialogue and negotiations without the use of coercive measures, which could further destabilise the region. Considered regional developments of crucial importance and underlined the need for exchange of views on such developments for strengthening peace, stability and security in the region.
Agreed to hold annually a joint meeting at the capitals of their countries in order to strengthen parliamentary relations as well as to play an active role in promoting parliamentary diplomacy with due respect to the parliamentary discussion of international co-operation. Underlined that only democracy provides an opportunity to the representatives of the people to understand and find solutions to both the existing and potential challenges. Further stressed that democracy was essential to combat terrorism.