Iranian FM, Pakistani President discuss bilateral ties

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in a meeting in Pakistan's port city of Karachi explored avenues for the further expansion of the two neighboring countries' ties and cooperation, Fars reported.

During the meeting held on Friday evening, Salehi submitted an invitation letter by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Zardari to attend the upcoming heads-of-state summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Tehran, on August 26-31.

The two sides also discussed Iran-Pakistan bilateral relations, as well as upholding joint cooperation between two countries.

President Zardari, for his part, welcomed President Ahmadinejad's invitation and said that he will surely take part in the NAM Summit.

As regard bilateral relations, Zardari said, "Pakistan and Iran as two brother and neighbor countries are looking for boosting bilateral cooperation and making use from their experiences in the issues of mutual interest."

He said that Pakistan desired giving a new impetus to its brotherly relations with Iran which were rooted in commonalities of history, culture and religious affinities.

President Zardari further stressed the need for the two countries to take effective measures so as to realize US $10 billion trade target within the stipulated period.


Edited by: S. Isayev