Iran, Pakistan issue joint statement to boost security coop.

TEHRAN, Jul. 18 (MNA) – Iran and Pakistan have reached an agreement on a comprehensive military framework for increasing bilateral ties in the fields of security, fight against terrorism and information sharing. In a joint statement issued Tuesday by Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Pakistan’s Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, Iran and Pakistan agreed on a comprehensive framework for expanding military cooperation. “This framework specifically focuses on expanding border cooperation to secure peace, trade and friendship in common borders and curb illegal moves including human and drug trafficking,” the statement says. The two sides agreed to continue multi-stage talks and joint operational and tactical cooperation to develop the security environment of the adjacent region of Iran and Pakistan, it adds. Using international approaches and regional laws by the two countries' armies to achieve border security are among other provisions of this joint statement. Highlighting the need to carry out routine patrol along common borders, the two sides agreed on maintaining cooperation between border police and security forces regarding intelligence ties to fight common threats. Also, both countries resolved to not allow the use of their soils against each other. The officials highlighted the necessity to promptly execute previous agreements on Pishin-Mand and Gabd-Reemdan crossings and to expand ties in experience sharing and multi-level communication for addressing emergency situations. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment and shared responsibility to promote and positively contribute to peace and stability across the region, especially against growing threat posed by transnational terrorism including ISIL. During his three-day visit to Pakistan, Major General Mohammad Bagheri held separate meetings with President Mamnoon Hussain, Foreign Minister Abdullah Hussain Haroon and military officials of Iran’s Southeastern neighbor and discussed ways to enhance bilateral security ties.