Apr 09 , 2015
News
Pakistan, Iran to join hands on Yemen crisis
* Iran presents four-part plan for Yemen: to impose ceasefire; deliver humanitarian assistance; open a broad-based dialogue and finally establish a broad-based govtISLAMABAD: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday Pakistan and Iran should cooperate to solve the deepening crisis in war-ravaged Yemen.
Zarif spoke during a two-day visit to the Pakistani capital in which he was expected to urge Islamabad to reject a Saudi request that it join a military operation against Houthi forces in Yemen.
“We need to work together to find a political solution,” he said. “It’s the Yemenis who should sit at the table to solve the crisis and everybody including Iran and Saudi Arabia should facilitate.”
“The people of Yemen should not have to face aerial bombardment,” he added, referring to air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition that started last month.
“The consensus that is emerging in parliament is that Pakistan should not participate in any military offensive. We should try to mediate, influence and facilitate peaceful dialogue,” said Sartaj Aziz, the prime minister’s adviser on security and foreign affairs.
Zarif said he favoured a four-part plan for Yemen: to impose a ceasefire, deliver humanitarian assistance, open a broad-based dialogue and finally establish a broad-based government. He recommended this to Pakistani, Turkish and Omani leaders, he said.
The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday accused Iran of meddling in Yemen and other conflicts in the Muslim world with the aim of “exporting the (Iranian) revolution”.
Zarif did not address those comments, but warned that militant Sunni groups were benefiting from Yemen’s chaos.
“Al Qaeda and Daesh (Islamic State) are ... fighting in order to seize control,” he said.
Sartaj Aziz said both leaders also agreed on the need for serious efforts to promote greater unity in the Muslim Ummah.
He said the parliamentarians were of the view that Pakistan should try to mediate, influence and facilitate some kind of peaceful dialogue.
Sartaj Aziz said the members of the Parliament also expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its concern about instability in the neighbourhood. He said there is a strong commitment to protect and defend, if necessary, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia.
The advisor said the government would fully respect in letter and spirit outcome and recommendations of parliament on Yemeni situation.
Referring to international efforts to resolve Yemen crisis, the advisor said Russia and Jordan have presented resolutions at the UN on the issue.
Regarding Jordanian resolution, he said it called for embargo on arms supplies, condemnation of efforts for removal of legitimate government of Yemen through force and some kind of disarmament with the help of United Nations representation.
The Iranian Foreign Minister said during the talks with Sartaj Aziz it was also agreed that all stakeholders have to show greater flexibility for ending bloodshed and preparing grounds for serious negotiations to resolve the crisis.
Welcoming the Framework Agreement signed recently between Iran and P5 plus one, he said it a welcome development and a comprehensive agreement which will later helpful and assist in expanding economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Iran.
The advisor said both the countries also agreed that a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan is vital for regional peace and stability.
“We will continue to support the reconciliation process, which is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned,” said Aziz.
Aziz said both the leaders also agreed to join hands for fighting terrorism and extremism and enhanced cooperation in this regard.
The Iranian foreign minister said the issue of border security was also discussed in the meeting with particular reference to the recent incident that resulted in killing of eight security personnel of Iran. He said maintenance of tranquility on border is of strategic interest for both the countries and he agreed with Sartaj Aziz to strengthen institutional mechanism for border management and curb cross-border activities.
Replying to a question, he said there were a lot of opportunities for Pakistan and Iran to expand their relations in different spheres.
He said trade volume is not as it should be and there is a need to increase it significantly with mutual cooperation and interaction.
Referring to the challenges of terrorism, extremism and violence, the Iranian Foreign Minister said both the countries were facing those common challenges. He said Pakistan and Iran would work together for greater unity in the Islamic world.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk