TEHRAN – President Hassan Rouhani stressed the need for efforts to promote bilateral relations between Tehran and Islamabad in all areas in line with the interests of the two neighbors.

Speaking at a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif in Tehran yesterday, President Rouhani hailed the growing collaborations between Iran and Pakistan and said the two countries as major regional players have “friendly and brotherly” ties.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined to promote its economic, cultural and political relations with Pakistan, he said.

The president also underlined the necessity for closer cooperation between Iran and Pakistan in countering terrorism and joint efforts to promote security along the two countries’ the common borders.

“Promoting the security of the borders and turning them into economic and trade areas and creating border markets would be in the interest of the two nations and in line with regional stability and security,” Rouhani went on to say.

President Rouhani also lambasted foreign interference in regional issues, reiterating that peace and security of the region must only be ensured by its nations.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that only regional countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, must endeavor and cooperate to establish regional security, stability and peace,” he said.

He added that regional issues, including the crisis in Afghanistan, should be settled through regional approaches, emphasizing that they would never be solved by foreigners and extra-regional powers.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to cooperate with regional countries, including Pakistan, in the fight against terrorism and development of peace, stability and security in the region,” Rouhani pointed out.

The Iranian chief executive stressed the importance of cooperation of all countries in fighting terrorism and boosting security along common borders.

“Promoting security along the borders and turning them into economic and trade frontiers as well as establishing border markets in these areas will be beneficial to the two nations and be in line with stability and security of the region,” Rouhani said.

The Pakistani foreign minister, for his part, said regional problems had no military solution, adding that only countries in the region, particularly Iran, could solve these problems.

No move by extra-regional powers can be effective, the top Pakistani diplomat said, adding that his country believed in the battle against terrorism to restore peace, security and stability across the region.

He also called for joint efforts to boost security in border areas and expand all-out relations between the two countries.

Earlier, soon after his arrival in Tehran, Pakistani minister held detailed talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif on bilateral relations and the prevailing regional situation, including efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Khawaja Asif stated that pursuing the policy of peaceful neighborhood, Pakistan was committed to further strengthen relations with Iran and to work closely for promoting peace, security and development in the region. In this regard, he expressed satisfaction over increasing engagement between Pakistan and Iran while emphasizing the need to focus on promoting trade, economic cooperation and connectivity.

Zarif, for his part, reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to deepening  relations with Pakistan in diverse fields including in trade, investment, connectivity as well as border management.

Both Ministers shared deep concern over human rights violations in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.

The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views about efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan, particularly in the context of latest developments in Afghanistan. They agreed that there was no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and a politically negotiated settlement was imperative for lasting peace in Afghanistan. They underscored that the regional countries have vital stakes in stability in Afghanistan should play a more proactive role in the peace efforts.

The two Ministers also expressed deep concern over the atrocities being committed against Rohingyas and agreed on the need for urgent humanitarian efforts to alleviate their suffering.