Trilateral Meet, Major Step To Establish Regional Stability: FM

Islamabad, Feb 16, IRNA – Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Thursday said that the trilateral summit of Iran-Pakistan-Afghanistan will prove to be a major step for establishing peace and security in the region. Salehi made the remark in a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar in Islamabad. Salehi added that the trilateral mechanism is important for enhancing regional cooperation. Ali Akbar Salehi said that Iran is ready to export electricity to Pakistani city of Gwadar in Baluchistan province. He expressed the hope that Pakistan with the help of Iran will overcome its energy crisis. During the meeting, Salehi stressed the need for raising the trade volume between the two countries. He said providing facilities to businessmen and traders of both countries would enhance economic cooperation. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Hana thanked Iran for helping Pakistan to overcome its energy crisis. Different political and security issues also came under the discussion. Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan Ali Reza Haghighian was also present in the meeting. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is arriving in Islamabad Thursday evening to attend the trilateral meeting. All the major roads in Islamabad are decorated with the flags of Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan along with the portraits of the Presidents of the three countries. The security of the Pakistani capital has been put on a high alert to avoid any unwanted situation./end