Pakistan, Iran enjoy very close ties: spokesman

[Edevelop]

KARACHI: Pakistan and Iran enjoy very close ties owing to their common history, culture and religion.

This was stated by the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran, Ramin Mehmanparast.

Talking to media persons at a local hotel on Saturday, he said that there was a huge capacity and potential for fostering cooperation in diverse areas between the two countries.

Ramin, who is also the Vice-Minister for Public Diplomacy, stated that the political relations between Pakistan and Iran are excellent and referred to the visits of high ranking delegations of the two countries.

He was of the view that the bilateral trade of one billion dollars between Pakistan and Iran was not enough and that this should be enhanced in accordance with the capacity and potential that exists. Banking sector's cooperation between the two countries was also important to augment trade and business activities, he added.

Ramin said that Iran can assist Pakistan in the energy sector- with the provision of crude oil, gas and electricity and that Iran can import from Pakistan commodities such as rice, wheat and other items.

He pointed out that Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline was one of the important projects and hoped that `We can implement it very soon' adding that this is being completed inside Iran by the month of March.

Iranian side is ready to finance this project in Pakistan with 250 million dollars and that discussions between the experts and professionals can be held to reach an agreement to enhance this investment further.

Ramin also emphasised the need of cooperation between the media of Iran and Pakistan in order to portray the true perspective, reality and image of each other's countries.

He also called for increased cooperation between the two countries in the realms of tourism.

The spokesman of Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was of the view that after 32 years of sanctions from the United States and European countries, Iran made headway in science and technology also.

He was of the view that regional countries with the spirit of cooperation can solve their own problems as we need security, stability and peaceful situation in our countries.

Replying to a question, Ramin said that the best way for resolution of the Afghanistan issue is that the American forces should leave Afghanistan.

He said that we are ready to solve every crisis in the region as well as the Afghan situation as the cooperation among the regional countries is the best way in this regard. The Afgan people can manage their country very well, he added.

Ramin said that there is a need that all the Islamic countries should enhance cooperation for making headway.

The Consul General of Iran in Karachi, Medhi Subhani, was also present on the occasion.

Pakistan, Iran enjoy very close ties: spokesman

 

[SamranAli]

Pakistan - Iran ties are going to better in future...

 

[idune]

Iran ready to invest USD 250m in IP pipeline project: Spokesman

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast says Tehran is prepared to invest USD 250 million in the construction of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline.


“Completing the Peace gas pipeline and cooperation between the sides for transferring Iran’s gas to Pakistan is among our priorities,” Mehmanparast told Pakistani media and reporters in the city of Karachi on Saturday.


“Iran is ready to invest USD 250 million in this project,” the Iranian official said, adding that disagreements between Tehran and Islamabad were merely over technical issues.

The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, projected to cost USD1.2-1.5 billion, is aimed to export a daily amount of 21.5 million cubic meters of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan.

Iran has already constructed more than 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil.

Pakistani Minister of Oil and Natural Resources Asim Hussain said on September 4 that the gas pipeline project would become fully operational in 2014, adding that, “Surveys for the project are due to be completed before October 2012 and construction can start as early as December 2012.

Referring to the presence of foreign forces as the cause of all regional problems, Mehmanparast added that, “the Americans seek to protect the interests of the Zionist regime [of Israel] in the region and are trying to support the regime through sowing discord among Muslim countries.”

The Iranian official said the Western countries use any ploy to divert attention from Israel’s crimes and create discord among Muslim countries, adding that, “The issue of disagreement between Iran and the region’s Muslim nations is another plot by the West.”

“Iran will hold talks with all countries in the world except for the Zionist regime if they respect the inalienable rights of the people of our country,” Mehmanparast said.


PressTV - Iran ready to invest USD 250m in IP pipeline project: Spokesman