Pakistani President Underlines Close, Brotherly Ties with Iran
2021-November-28
TEHRAN (FNA)- Pakistani President Arif Alvi stressed that Tehran and Islamabad enjoy close and brotherly relations which should be expanded in different areas, specially economic and trade fields.
President Arif made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian President Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi on the sidelines of 15th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Ashgabat.
He expressed satisfaction on regular high-level interactions with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and emphasized utilization of barter trade mechanism with Tehran.
President Alvi congratulated President Rayeesi on taking office after his victory in the recent elections.
He underlined that Pakistan considered Iran as an important Muslim neighbor and brother based on deep-rooted historical, linguistic, religious, and cultural linkages between the two countries.
“The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the regular high-level interactions which had reinforced different avenues of mutual cooperation,” said the statement.
President Alvi highlighted that Pakistan accorded highest priority to geo-economics for shared prosperity and regional connectivity.
He expressed satisfaction at the recent operationalization of International Road Transport (TIR) shipments from Pakistan to Turkey and Azerbaijan, which would be beneficial for the entire ECO region.
He referred to the recently held JTC meeting in Tehran, and underscored the importance of regular convening of bilateral mechanisms for trade and economy. He also emphasized utilization of barter trade mechanism in this respect.
President Alvi thanked Iran for its consistent support to the Kashmir cause, particularly from Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.
On regional situation, particularly in the context of Afghanistan, President Alvi noted the increased convergence of views among the neighboring countries, emphasizing the need for closely coordinated approach to achieve shared objectives of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.
He laid emphasis on urgent provision of humanitarian and economic assistance to alleviate the sufferings of people of Afghanistan, stressing the de-freezing of Afghanistan’s financial assets in this respect.
President Alvi reiterated the invitation for a bilateral visit to Pakistan to President Rayeesi at his earliest convenience.
The two leaders agreed to stay engaged on all issues of mutual interest.
A senior Iranian economic official said in April that trade with the neighboring states is a priority and highly important to Tehran.
Trade with the neighboring countries is of prime importance in every respect for the country, Spokesman of the Customs Administration of Iran Ruhollah Latifi said.
He added that Iran's foreign trade exchanges with neighboring states last year were 82.535389 tons of goods worth of $36,502,315,869.
Some 15 countries, including the UAE, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Turkey, and Turkmenistan, as well as Saudi Arabia has water and soil borders, Latifi noted.
Shipments reached over 82.5 million metric tons in volume terms over the period, said Latifi, adding that trade with neighbors was responsible for 58% of the value and 60% of the volume of the entire foreign trade last calendar year.