Adviser meets Iranian Economic and Finance Minister

The Iranian Economic and Finance Minister, Mr. Ali Tayyab Nia, called on the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz, at the Foreign Office today. The discussions focused on Pakistan-Iran bilateral relations, with a particular reference to the economic dimension.

The Adviser underlined Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthen close, cooperative relations with Iran and, in this regard, described Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Iran in May 2014 as a milestone. He particularly stressed the importance of utilizing the untapped potential for bilateral trade. The Adviser further highlighted the efforts that Pakistan was making to increase trade, economic and commercial transactions with Iran. In this context, he also noted the important role of the Pakistan-Iran Business Council, visa facilitation, opening of new border crossing points, and border markets. The Adviser also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the IP gas pipeline project, as part of Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its energy security.

The Iranian Economic and Finance Minister underscored the importance that Iran attaches to deeper bilateral relations with Pakistan and indicated Iran’s readiness to pursue various initiatives for increased trade and economic cooperation as well as the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project. The two sides agreed that the bilateral relationship was developing in line with the vision of the leadership of the two countries.

Minister Tayyab Nia is visiting Pakistan for the 19th session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission, being held in Islamabad on 8-9 December 2014. The Iranian Minister was accompanied, among others, by the Governor General of Sistan-Balochistan province of Iran and the Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan.

Islamabad
8 December 2014

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