Iran's First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi says the Islamic Republic is ready to increase the level of bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in all fields, particularly in oil and gas sectors, Press TV reported.
In a Monday telephone conversation with the leader of Pakistan's Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, the Iranian vice president expressed hope Tehran and Islamabad would further improve relations during the new Pakistani government's mandate.
Rahimi said Iran supports Pakistani progress and development and voiced Tehran's readiness to meet part of Islamabad's need for gas and electricity.
On March 11, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the final construction phase of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, intended to carry natural gas from Iran to its eastern neighbor.
The joint multi-billion-dollar pipeline is designed to help Pakistan overcome its growing energy needs at a time when the country of over 180 million people is grappling with serious energy shortages.
Rahimi further stressed the importance of more interaction and consultation between Iran and Pakistan on key regional and international developments and issues of the Muslim world.
Sharif, for his part, said Pakistan is ready to enhance the level of its relations with Iran and added that the Pakistani government would make serious efforts to achieve this goal.