Iran and Pakistan stress expansion of bilateral ties
By Sara Rajabova
Iran and Pakistan are determined to further expand bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
The countries shared strategic views on bilateral ties during the two-day visit of the Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to Iran. Zardari arrived in Tehran on Wednesday at the head of a high-ranking delegation.
In a meeting with the Pakistani President the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Iran and Pakistan stand united and share strategic views with regards to their bilateral relations, Press TV reported.
"Even if we were not neighbors and religious brothers, we should stand together, because relations and cooperation are better than confrontation and ill-wishers always exploit the divide between nations," he added.
The Iranian president went on to say that if Tehran and Islamabad consolidate their capacities, they can overcome all obstacles and animosities and accelerate their progress.
Referring to the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project, Ahmadinejad said the construction of this pipeline would benefit both countries as well as other regional states.
Zardari, for his part, underlined the importance of expanding brotherly relations between Iran and Pakistan and noted that trust and strong ties exist between the two countries, despite efforts by those who want to obstruct cooperation between the two nations.
He said Pakistan is determined to walk the path of promoting bilateral ties, adding that consolidating the capacities of both states would serve their interests.
The Pakistani president also expressed happiness about construction of the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project and added that Islamabad supports all measures taken to complete the pipeline.
According to official sources, Zardari also plans to sign an oil refinery deal worth four billion dollars with Tehran and to discuss the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project that will carry Iranian natural gas to its eastern neighbor.
Zardari is also slated to meet with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Wednesday before attending a dinner banquet thrown in his honor by the Iranian President Ahmadinejad.
Khamenei in a meeting with visiting President Zardari highlighted the need to counter those acting against national unity in Pakistan.
He warned against attempts to fuel division and religious difference in Pakistan. "The religious massacre in Pakistan is really regretful which should be strongly encountered. The issue should not be allowed to damage national unity in Pakistan."
Khamenei said promotion of relations among Muslim states is the second key factor for settlement of problems facing Muslim nations.
Referring to Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project as an important sample of Tehran-Islamabad cooperation, Iran's Supreme Leader said enemies are now targeting expansion of bilateral relations.
Saying that a safe and durable energy source is of top importance for any country, including Pakistan, Khamenei noted that Iran is the only country of the region that enjoys security and abundant energy source and "We are ready to meet Pakistan's need in this concern."
Last week, an advisor to the Pakistani prime minister on petroleum and natural resources said President Zardari "plans to pay a visit to Iran" in a bid to finalize a deal on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project as the two countries' oil ministers inaugurated construction of the 781-kilometer-long Pakistani side of the gas line.
The Pakistani official also stated that the project would inaugurate on due time, which is December 2014.
On Wednesday, Iranian and Pakistani oil ministers inaugurated construction of the 781 km of Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline in Pakistan's soil.
An Iranian-Pakistani joint contractor has been commissioned to begin construction of the IP gas pipeline.
The Iranian oil minister and his accompanying delegation agreed with their Pakistani counterpart to set up a joint contracting company between the two countries in a bid to complete the construction of the IP gas pipeline in next 15 months.
The IP gas pipeline stretches from Iran-Pakistan border to Navabshah region in Pakistan and it covers 781 km of the total 1,881 km of the pipeline.
Apart from it, both countries also discussed the finances involved in the project. The interest rate for Iran's 500-million-dollar loan to Pakistan and the date for the start of the repayment of the loan by Pakistan were among other topics in the discussions.
Demand for natural gas in Pakistan has outstripped supply in recent years, putting existing reserves under immense pressure.
The pipeline, projected to cost about USD 1.2-1.5 billion, will enable the export of 21.5 million cubic meters of Iran's natural gas to Pakistan on a daily basis.
The 2,700-kilometer long pipeline was to supply gas for Pakistan and India which are suffering a lack of energy sources, but India has evaded talks. In 2011, Iran and Pakistan declared they would finalize the agreement bilaterally if India continued to be absent in the meeting.
According to the project proposal, the pipeline will begin from Iran's Assalouyeh Energy Zone in the south and stretch over 1,100 km through Iran. In Pakistan, it will pass through Baluchistan and Sindh but officials now say the route may be changed if China agrees to the project.