News
Saturday, September 01, 2012
Zardari and Khamenei discuss bilateral relations* President says Pak, Iran have important role in peace, stability, socio-economic development of region
TEHRAN: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday called on Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and discussed with him a range of issues from bilateral relations to the prevailing regional situation and current challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah.
The president is visiting Iran to attend the two-day Non-Aligned Movement summit, accompanied by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
During his meeting at the Bait-e-Rehbari, the president conveyed his deepest condolences to the supreme leader over the loss of precious lives as a result of the recent earthquake in Ahar and the areas adjoining historic city of Tabriz.
The president said the people of Pakistan were greatly grieved to learn about the distress of their Iranian brethren. He reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to provide all possible assistance, as may be required, for alleviating the sufferings of the people.
The two leaders, while discussing bilateral relations, noted that the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran were deeply rooted in their common heritage. President Zardari said Pakistan was determined to build an enduring partnership with Iran and to further strengthen the existing brotherly relations to promote mutual cooperation.
He said being the important regional players, Pakistan and Iran were poised to play an important role in the peace, stability and socio-economic development of the region.
The president also said that the Muslim Ummah, at present, faced unprecedented challenges that called for forging unity and close cooperation and coordination to overcome the common problems and issues.
The two leaders also took stock of the regional situation, with particular focus on Afghanistan and Syria. Zardari said being immediate neighbours, peace and stability in Afghanistan was important for both Pakistan and Iran.
He said that Pakistan would continue supporting an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of reconciliation as the most viable option to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the neighbouring country.
Lauding resilience of the Iranian people and the vision of their leadership, Zardari congratulated the supreme leader on holding of successful NAM summit, which was attended by a large number of prominent world leaders and representatives from over 100 countries.
The president attributed success of the summit to the vision and wisdom of the Iranian leadership and expressed the hope that the summit would contribute significantly to create better understanding of the current issues.
Expressing concern over the situation in Syria, the president said Pakistan wanted an immediate end to the bloodshed and would support any initiative to provide political space to Syrian parties for bringing peace and stability to their country.
He said Pakistan believed in the principles of non-intervention and non-interference.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were present during the meeting. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk