ID :
23857
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 09:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23857
The shortlink copeid
Pak, Iran decide to implement IPI pipeline project bilaterally
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Oct 10 (PTI) Running out of patience, Pakistan and Iran Friday decided to go ahead with the USD 7.4 billion tri-nation I.P.I. gas pipeline project bilaterally, saying India could join it later at its "convenience".
The decision was taken during talks between Pakistan
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Iranian
counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki here.
The two countries have agreed to undertake the
Iran-Pakistan-India (I.P.I.) gas pipeline project bilaterally
to meet Pakistan's growing energy needs at the earliest, they
told a joint press conference after the meeting.
Mottaki said the bilateral launch of the pipeline project
would help avoid further delay.
Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, while receiving Mottaki, said
the project was of "strategic significance" and that Pakistan
would work with Iran for early establishment of a joint
financing company for the venture.
"Pakistan wants the gas pipeline project should be
initiated bilaterally between Pakistan and Iran while India
could join afterwards whenever it so desires," an official
statement quoted Gilani as saying.
The proposal for the pipeline was mooted three years back
but it failed to move ahead because of differences over
pricing and transit fee and concerns over security. India
wants these issues to be addressed before the project could be
implemented.
Qureshi said the project would enhance cooperation and
promote growth in the region. "India is welcome to join this
project at a subsequent time of their choice and convenience,"
he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari, during a separate meeting
with Mottaki, welcomed the agreement to go ahead bilaterally
on the I.P.I. project in view of Pakistan's shortage of energy
resources.
Qureshi said a meeting of Iranian and Pakistani technical
experts held in Tehran during September 27-28 had resolved
four out of five outstanding issues related to the project.
Mottaki assured Pakistan that Iran is determined to
proceed with the project. He hoped remaining issues related to
the venture would be resolved during his current visit.
Pakistani officials have accused India of delaying
participation in the project. Zardari is expected to ask China
to join the project during his October 14-17 visit to Beijing.
Qureshi said Iran has also expressed its willingness to
provide 1,000 MW of electricity to Pakistan to address the
country's energy deficiency. He said Pakistan has requested
Iran to provide crude oil on deferred payment in view of the
country's economic problems.
During Mottaki's meetings with Pakistani officials, both
sides discussed ways to improve connectivity through rail and
road links. They agreed to constitute a working group to frame
recommendations for developing such infrastructure.
Qureshi also said in-depth talks were held on the
situation in Afghanistan as Iran and Pakistan desire a
peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan for peace and stability in
the region. He said he would soon visit Tehran to hold
further negotiations on the situation in Afghanistan.
Condemning recent acts of terrorism in Pakistan, the
Iranian Foreign Minister said these were aimed at targeting
the stability and security of the country. He called for
addressing the root causes of the menace.
Gilani was also quoted by T.V. channels as telling
Mottaki that Pakistan wanted a diplomatic solution to the
Iranian nuclear issue as any use of force against Tehran can
destabilise the region. PTI RHL
Islamabad, Oct 10 (PTI) Running out of patience, Pakistan and Iran Friday decided to go ahead with the USD 7.4 billion tri-nation I.P.I. gas pipeline project bilaterally, saying India could join it later at its "convenience".
The decision was taken during talks between Pakistan
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Iranian
counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki here.
The two countries have agreed to undertake the
Iran-Pakistan-India (I.P.I.) gas pipeline project bilaterally
to meet Pakistan's growing energy needs at the earliest, they
told a joint press conference after the meeting.
Mottaki said the bilateral launch of the pipeline project
would help avoid further delay.
Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, while receiving Mottaki, said
the project was of "strategic significance" and that Pakistan
would work with Iran for early establishment of a joint
financing company for the venture.
"Pakistan wants the gas pipeline project should be
initiated bilaterally between Pakistan and Iran while India
could join afterwards whenever it so desires," an official
statement quoted Gilani as saying.
The proposal for the pipeline was mooted three years back
but it failed to move ahead because of differences over
pricing and transit fee and concerns over security. India
wants these issues to be addressed before the project could be
implemented.
Qureshi said the project would enhance cooperation and
promote growth in the region. "India is welcome to join this
project at a subsequent time of their choice and convenience,"
he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari, during a separate meeting
with Mottaki, welcomed the agreement to go ahead bilaterally
on the I.P.I. project in view of Pakistan's shortage of energy
resources.
Qureshi said a meeting of Iranian and Pakistani technical
experts held in Tehran during September 27-28 had resolved
four out of five outstanding issues related to the project.
Mottaki assured Pakistan that Iran is determined to
proceed with the project. He hoped remaining issues related to
the venture would be resolved during his current visit.
Pakistani officials have accused India of delaying
participation in the project. Zardari is expected to ask China
to join the project during his October 14-17 visit to Beijing.
Qureshi said Iran has also expressed its willingness to
provide 1,000 MW of electricity to Pakistan to address the
country's energy deficiency. He said Pakistan has requested
Iran to provide crude oil on deferred payment in view of the
country's economic problems.
During Mottaki's meetings with Pakistani officials, both
sides discussed ways to improve connectivity through rail and
road links. They agreed to constitute a working group to frame
recommendations for developing such infrastructure.
Qureshi also said in-depth talks were held on the
situation in Afghanistan as Iran and Pakistan desire a
peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan for peace and stability in
the region. He said he would soon visit Tehran to hold
further negotiations on the situation in Afghanistan.
Condemning recent acts of terrorism in Pakistan, the
Iranian Foreign Minister said these were aimed at targeting
the stability and security of the country. He called for
addressing the root causes of the menace.
Gilani was also quoted by T.V. channels as telling
Mottaki that Pakistan wanted a diplomatic solution to the
Iranian nuclear issue as any use of force against Tehran can
destabilise the region. PTI RHL
