- Both presidents agree on importance of connectivity between Gwadar, Chabahar ports to strengthen ties
QINGDAO: Pakistan and Iran on Saturday agreed to further strengthen the bilateral economic ties by enhancing people-to-people contacts, trade and connectivity between Gwadar and Chahbahar ports.
This was agreed in a bilateral meeting between President Mamnoon Hussain and Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani on June 9, at Qingdao, China.
The Pakistani delegation comprised Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, Ambassador of Pakistan in China Masood Khalid and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Iranian side was represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Muhammad Dr Javad Zarif, Minister for Oil Zain Geneh, Central Bank Governor Valiollah Seif and senior officials.
The two leaders are visiting China to participate in the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit. During the meeting, a wide array of issues were discussed including bilateral relations, regional and global situation.
President Mamnoon Hussain underscored that Pakistan and Iran enjoy close, cordial and fraternal relations. Pakistan and Iran continue to support each other on issues of common interest.
He appreciated the statement of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in support of the just struggle of the Kashmiri people.
Both the presidents agreed that the two countries should further strengthen bilateral economic relations through inter-alia increased bilateral trade. They agreed that connectivity between the two sister-ports of Gwadar and Chabahar would further deepen bilateral ties through enhanced trade and people to people contacts.
On the issue of Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), President Mamnoon Hussain expressed the hope that all parties of the JCPOA would continue to implement the agreement and uphold their commitments.
The two leaders also discussed the current global situation and agreed on the need to focus on upholding principles and rules of international law and amicably resolving various global and regional crises through diplomacy and negotiations.
Discussing the regional situation, the two leaders emphasized that peace and stability in Afghanistan were important for both Pakistan and Iran.