Ahmadinejad: Iran Wants Special Ties with Pakistan

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that his country wants special ties with Pakistan in oil, gas and power sectors.

He was talking to Pakistan’s new ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Bux Abbasi who presented his credentials to President Ahmadinejad in a meeting here on Sunday.

The Iranian president said that Iran and Pakistan have historic cultural links adding that his country intends to enhance ties with Pakistan in energy and other sectors.

He also underlined that all countries would benefit from Pakistan’s security. Iran is committed to supporting its brothers in Pakistan, he said.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asked the Ambassador to convey his good wishes and greetings to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

He lauded the existing fraternal and good neighborly ties between Iran and Pakistan, expressing the hope that these relations would receive further fillip during the tenure of the new Ambassador.

Ahmadinejad stated Iran’s preparedness to expand cooperation with Pakistan in various fields notably in gas, oil and electricity sectors, he said.

He said that the Iranian government was determined to further promote economic and trade relations with Pakistan, underlining that early implementation of the gas pipeline project would open up new avenues of economic cooperation in the region.

The Pakistani ambassador while presenting his credentials conveyed goodwill message of President Asif Ali Zardari and the government and people of his country.

Abbasi referred to the deep-rooted, historical and cultural bonds between Iran and Pakistan, the envoy expressed the hope that these relations would be further strengthened in all fields in the years ahead.

The envoy thanked President Ahmadinejad for his support, and assured him of his determination to work towards further promotion of Iran-Pakistan “friendly, brotherly and amicable” relations.

He also underscored determination of the high ranking officials of both countries to broaden and bolster ties between the two neighboring nations.