Iran, Pakistan to boost security in border areas

Tehran, June 30, IRNA - Interior Ministry caretaker, Mehdi Hashemi said that expansion of Iran-Pakistan relations would lead to promotion of security in the two countries joint border areas.

He made the remark in a meeting with Pakistani Finance Minister Naveed
Qamar, who is currently heading an economic delegation to attend the 17th
session of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission.

He added that there are great potentials in both countries which pave the
way for further expansion of bilateral cooperation in different areas of
trade, economy, culture and tourism.
Strengthening border markets and expansion of trade exchanges in border
areas can play key role in prop-up of security in those areas, Hashemi
noted.

The two countries' officials are interested in promotion of security in the
joint border areas, he said, adding that exchange of visits between the two
sides would be fruitful in that regard.

On extradition of criminals, the Iranian official lauded Pakistan's
assistance to that end.
Expressing his satisfaction with the current visit to Tehran of the
Pakistani economic delegation, Hashemi said such a visit would help further
strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Referring to his visit as "fruitful", the Pakistani minister said expansion
of economic relations is in need of promotion of security.

He urged Tehran and Islamabad to find an appropriate way to counter
terrorism and traffic of narcotic drugs.
He stressed that there is no obstacle in the way of further expansion of
economic and trade relations between the two neighboring countries.
Qamar then invited Hashemi to visit Pakistan.
The 17th session of Joint Economic Commission started on Sunday with the
inaugural speech of Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.
end