Rouhani calls for collective efforts to settle Islamic World issues

President Rouhani, who arrived in Islamabad on Friday, further maintained that the Islamic Republic of Iran attaches great significance to the expansion of relations with Pakistan in all areas of interest and that both Muslim nations call for an improvement in bilateral ties.

He added that the long borders between Iran and Pakistan must serve as borders of ‘friendship and prosperity’ for both countries, saying improving trade cooperation by establishing transboundary areas is imperative to achieve this goal.

The President also referred to the common views shared by both countries on many regional and international issues, saying “Iran and Pakistan, as two major Muslim countries in the region, should make efforts for the unity and security of the Islamic World within the framework of bilateral, multilateral, regional and international cooperation.”

Adviser to the Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, for his part, said theMoUs signed between Iran and Pakistan should be put into effect as soon as possible for a meaningful step toward the expansion of Tehran-Islamabad relations.

He further deemed significant the strengthening of communications and cooperation among ports in Iran and Pakistan.

The Pakistani senior official then referred to the spread of terrorism in the region, calling for joint cooperation in the fight against this scourge; “Islamabad is ready to cooperate with Iran in fighting terrorism and extremism in the region,” he said.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation including 60 Iranian businessmen, Rouhani was officially welcomed by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif upon his arrival in Islamabad on Friday. The two sides signed six MoUs in various economic areas following a meeting between President Rouhani and Prime Minister Navaz Sharif on Friday.