Azernews.Az

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has censured Canada's stance on the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project, warning Ottawa against turning into the source of threat to global peace, Press TV reported.

"Canada should avoid turning into a source of tension in relations among nations and a threat to the international peace and security," Mehmanparast said on Monday.

He added that a statement issued by Canada's Foreign Minister John Baird about the disappointment of the country's federal government over the IP gas project was a clear example of "irresponsible attitude of the radical Canadian government."

It is also an effort to obstruct enhancement of ties among countries in order to promote international peace and welfare, he pointed out.

"Such illogical interference in internal affairs of regional nations indicates lack of proper understanding of the international developments and regional realities on the part of the Canadian statesmen," the Iranian spokesperson said.

Mehmanparast emphasized that the first priority of Iran foreign policy is promoting peace and stability in the region through the expansion of close cooperation with neighboring countries such as Pakistan.

In his statement on Friday, Baird said the Canadian federal government got deeply disappointed by Pakistan's decision to build a new natural gas pipeline with Iran and to purchase Iranian gas through it.

On March 2, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated that Islamabad would not stop the pipeline project at any cost.

The Pakistani president stressed that his government would continue to pursue the construction of the gas pipeline despite US threats and pressure.

Pakistan faces a crushing energy crisis which has caused difficulties in financing the pipeline which stretches from the border between the two countries to Nawabshah region in Pakistan.

Iran, the second largest owner of gas reserves in the world after Russia, has said it will provide $ 500 million to help Pakistan build the pipeline on its side of the border.

The pipeline will enable the export of 21.5 million cubic meters (mcm) of Iran's natural gas to Pakistan on a daily basis. Iran has already built more than 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its soil.