Pakistan supports Iran`s peaceful nuclear programme: Kasuri
IRNA
Islamabad, Aug 29, IRNA - Pakistan Friday supported Iran nuclear programme and rejected as baseless and motivated reports that Islamabad has helped Iranian nuclear programme. "Pakistan supports the right of Iran to develop its peaceful nuclear programme, concomitant to its adherence of its obligations under the arms control and disarmament agreements that it is a party to," Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri told a joint news conference with his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi. He noted that the latest IAEA report acknowledges the increased cooperation of Iran, including Iran`s decision to begin negotiations with the IAEA on an Additional Protocol. "We should like that any remaining issues will be solved during the forthcoming IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna next month and within the context of continuing IAEA Iran cooperation." Kasuri denied reports in western media that Pakistan has helped Iran in its nuclear programme and said Pakistan is also opposed to coercive measures. "Pakistan has never supplied in any manner whatsoever any assistance for Iran`s nuclear programme," the Pakistani foreign minister said. He said the Foreign Minister of Iran has also stated in the talks that such media allegations are completely false and obviously motivated. "Pakistan holds that any doubts or disagreements that may arise regarding the implementation of obligations undertaken by states through such arms control and disarmament agreements, should be peacefully resolved through the mechanisms for dispute settlement laid own in the concerned agreements and treaties," he said. Kharrazi arrived in Islamabad early Friday on a day long visit. He met President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali. "In our talks, we have underlined that Pakistan and Iran have close friendly and brotherly relations. Both countries have an abiding and profound interesting consolidating and expanding their bilateral cooperation in all spheres," Kasuri said. He said Pak-Iran relations are based on common bonds of geography, history, religion and culture. "Our two delegations also discussed ways and means to enhance bilateral economic and trade relations." He said they also emphasized the need for the prompt and full implementation of the agreements signed during President Mohammad Khatami`s visit to Pakistan and the decision of Pak-Iran Joint Ministerial Commission. "Dr. Kharrazi and I underscored that lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, our common neighbour, were in the national interest of Pakistan and Iran as well as the region." About Afghanistan, Kasuri said the two sides agreed that trilateral meetings of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan would be held first at the official level and then at the level of the Foreign Ministers to help the brotherly country Afghanistan, especially in reconstruction and economic development. Turning to Iraq, the two sides stressed that sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country should be preserved and that governance should be restored to the people of Iraq. Both sides agreed that the United Nations should be allowed to play a more prominent and effective role in Iraq. He said he has briefed the Iranian foreign minister about Islamabad efforts to promote peace and security in South Asia through engagement with Indian. "In this context, I told him that some steps had already been taken, but for addressing all outstanding issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, India should agree to resume composite dialogue. I also reiterated that Pakistan would give its full support to an Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline." He said the two sides we decided to enhance our cooperation at the political, official and non-government levels. Kamal Kharrazi reiterated the invitation extended to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to visit Iran. TK/TSH/214 End
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