ID :
9954
Fri, 06/13/2008 - 10:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/9954
The shortlink copeid
Pak, Iran for early implementation of IPI gas project
Islamabad, June 13 (PTI) Pakistan Thursday called for
an early finalisation of formalities to implement the gas
pipeline project involving India and Iran, saying the venture
would help in strengthening regional ties.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underscored the
need to speedily finalise modalities for the
Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline during a meeting with
his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of
an international conference in support of Afghanistan in
Paris.
Qureshi said the I.P.I. project would "play an
important role in cementing the already close ties between
Pakistan and Iran".
"It is, therefore, important that necessary steps
should be taken amongst the concerned parties to finalise the
formalities for implementation of the project at the
earliest," Qureshi was quoted as saying by an official
statement issued by the Foreign Office.
Mottaki reiterated Iran's commitment to the I.P.I.
project, the statement said.
Pakistan and Iran are reportedly set to sign a gas
sale agreement, which they finalised some months ago.
Following a meeting here between the petroleum
ministers of India and Pakistan in April, the two countries
had said they had reached consensus on basic issues related to
the USD 7.5-billion project.
Though India and Pakistan said they were hopeful that
work could begin next year, they have been unable to resolve
their differences on the transit fee to be paid by New Delhi
to Islamabad.
Qureshi and Mottaki also discussed bilateral, regional
and international issues of mutual interest during their
meeting, the statement said.
Mottaki informed Qureshi that Iran has decided to
withdraw import duty on Pakistani rice to facilitate an
increase in rice imports from Pakistan. Qureshi thanked him
for the gesture and said it would reduce the imbalance in
bilateral trade and help Pakistan's agricultural sector.
The two ministers also discussed various aspects of
economic and commercial relations and bilateral cooperation in
international organisations. PTI
an early finalisation of formalities to implement the gas
pipeline project involving India and Iran, saying the venture
would help in strengthening regional ties.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi underscored the
need to speedily finalise modalities for the
Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline during a meeting with
his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki on the sidelines of
an international conference in support of Afghanistan in
Paris.
Qureshi said the I.P.I. project would "play an
important role in cementing the already close ties between
Pakistan and Iran".
"It is, therefore, important that necessary steps
should be taken amongst the concerned parties to finalise the
formalities for implementation of the project at the
earliest," Qureshi was quoted as saying by an official
statement issued by the Foreign Office.
Mottaki reiterated Iran's commitment to the I.P.I.
project, the statement said.
Pakistan and Iran are reportedly set to sign a gas
sale agreement, which they finalised some months ago.
Following a meeting here between the petroleum
ministers of India and Pakistan in April, the two countries
had said they had reached consensus on basic issues related to
the USD 7.5-billion project.
Though India and Pakistan said they were hopeful that
work could begin next year, they have been unable to resolve
their differences on the transit fee to be paid by New Delhi
to Islamabad.
Qureshi and Mottaki also discussed bilateral, regional
and international issues of mutual interest during their
meeting, the statement said.
Mottaki informed Qureshi that Iran has decided to
withdraw import duty on Pakistani rice to facilitate an
increase in rice imports from Pakistan. Qureshi thanked him
for the gesture and said it would reduce the imbalance in
bilateral trade and help Pakistan's agricultural sector.
The two ministers also discussed various aspects of
economic and commercial relations and bilateral cooperation in
international organisations. PTI
