President Urges Closer Cooperation between Iran, Pakistan to Secure Joint Borders
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, underlined the necessity for closer cooperation between the two neighboring countries in economic fields and in strengthening security along their joint borders.
“Our borders should remain borders of brotherhood and friendship in a bid to prevent terrorist groups from taking advantage of them,” Rouhani said in the meeting held in Islamabad on the sidelines of the 13th Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) heads of state.
“To that end” Rouhani said “we are ready for closer cooperation in the fight against terrorism which is a menace for all sides.”
As regards bilateral ties, Rouhani described the two countries economic ties in the past year as “progressive” and at the same time noted that the two sides enjoy abundant capacity to further deepen their ties.
He voiced Iran’s preparedness to supply Pakistan with needed energy, adding that Tehran is prepared to supply part of Pakistan’s need for electricity.
Rouhani pointed to the development of Iran’s southeastern port city of Chabahar and Makran coasts near Pakistan, and said the development would prepare better economic conditions for the two neighboring countries.
Also at the meeting, Nawaz Sharif lauded Rouhani for attending ECO meeting, saying that the move has help it gain success.
He said Iran and Pakistan are “brothers and neighbors” and will remain together irrespective of all possible challenges.
Sharif said the two sides should pay special attention to the expansion of all-out cooperation to match the existing capacities, adding, “This would be in the interests of the two sides.”
