Iran, Pakistan call for further broadening of ties

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari in a meeting underlined the need for bolstering and reinvigoration of mutual cooperation between Tehran and Islamabad. During the meeting on the sidelines of the Fourth International Nowrouz Festivities in the Turkmen capital of Ashkhabad on Thursday, President Ahmadinejad and President Zardari were quoted by Iranian News Agency (IRNA) as saying that they are determined to upgrade the level of their diplomatic ties. President Ahmadinejad pointed to the historical and cultural commonalities between Iran and Pakistan, and said, ‘Tehran and Islamabad can meet many of their demands by utilizing their abundant potentials for mutual cooperation in different sectors, especially in the energy and trade fields.’ The Pakistani president, for his part, underscored his country’s determination for swifter implementation of joint projects between the two countries, especially in energy sector, and said, ‘No parameter can impede the existing will and determination for routine improvement of mutual cooperation between the two countries.’