Hassan Rouhani, Pakistan's Sharif meet, confer bilateral ties

President Hassan Rouhani and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, during a meeting in Islamabad on Friday, discussed issues of mutual interest, as well as economic cooperation at regional and international levels, Irna reported.

Immediately after the meeting between the two heads of state, Rouhani's accompanying delegation began negotiations with their Pakistani counterparts.

The two sides are to sign six documents on different areas including trade, insurance, cultural and academic cooperation as well as cooperation on health and medicine.

President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Islamabad at the head of a top-ranking delegation hours earlier.

Upon his arrival at the airport, the president was accorded warm welcome by Nawaz Sharif.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Petroleum Minister Bijan Zangeneh, Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mohammad-Reza Nematzadeh, Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian, Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh, Director of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Valiollah Seif and Head of Iran Chamber of Commerce Mohsen Jalalpour are accompanying the president in his visit to Pakistan.

Mohammad Nahavandian, the chief of staff of the presidential office, Hossein Fereidoun, a special advisor to President Rouhani, Hessameddin Ashena, an advisor to the president on cultural affairs, Ali Osat Hashemi, the governor-general of the bordering Sistan-Baluchestan province as well as a 60-member group of Iranian businesspersons and representatives of private sector are also among those accompanying the president in his Islamabad visit.

The president's trip is following a visit to Tehran by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in January.

Developing bilateral relations, especially in economic areas after the nuclear deal and the subsequent lifting of sanctions, is among the most important issues to be discussed between the two sides.