Iran-Pakistan stress expansion of regional co-op

Tehran, Jan 11, IRNA – The Iranian and Pakistani presidents Sunday evening called for expansion of regional cooperation to neutralize enemies’ conspiracies and help restore peace and security in the region.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari, in a telephone conversation, underlined the need for taking measures in line with progress and development of the regional nations.

They urged regional states not to let foreign forces and arrogant powers interfere in their domestic affairs.

The two presidents expressed their satisfaction with inauguration of the Peace pipeline and underlined the need for putting into operation of the project as soon as possible.

Condemning terrorist operations by foreign agents in Pakistan, President Ahmadinejad expressed hope that Islamabad would prevent materialization of policies of the global arrogance and would establish stability and solidarity in that country.

Explosions and massacre of civilians in Pakistan would make all regional nations concerned since Pakistani security and stability would benefit the entire region, he added.

President Ahmadinejad further announced Tehran’s readiness to assist Islamabad to counter such acts.

The Pakistani president, for his part, stressed that foreign forces have always been attempting to destabilize region.

He added that the Pakistani nation, through the help of regional states, particularly the Islamic Republic of Iran, would neutralize the enemies’ plots.

President Zardari reiterated that powerful Pakistan and Iran would be to the benefit of the regional stability and security./end