Iran, Pakistan agree to facilitate border trade exchanges

Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni says Iran and Pakistan agreed to take joint measures to facilitate border trade, transit, and exchange of goods between the two neighboring countries.

Speaking after a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Mohsin Naqvi in Tehran on Saturday, Momeni said the two countries enjoy deep-rooted relations and the current visit by the Pakistani interior minister underscores amicable ties.

He added that he held “very good” discussions with the Pakistani minister on new crossings, border security, mutual relations, and trade exchanges.

The Iranian minister noted that the long borders between Iran and Pakistan are secure and that Tehran and Islamabad have “appropriate” capacities to make them even more secure.

Momeni hailed the very positive view that the Iranian and Pakistani governments and peoples hold toward each other, emphasizing that the first message of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, regarding Pakistan contained a special emphasis on relations between the two countries.

Both sides are determined to develop friendly political relations in addition to boosting economic and trade cooperation, he added, stressing the importance of providing necessary facilities along common border areas to further strengthen unity, solidarity, and brotherhood.

Naqvi, for his part, said the two sides held extensive discussions on various issues of common interest, including border security, and expressed hope that they would reach tangible solutions in this regard.

The Pakistani minister thanked his Iranian counterpart for his leading role in improving mutual relations.

Naqvi arrived in Tehran on Saturday on an unannounced trip and is scheduled to meet with senior Iranian officials.

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