Tehran, Islamabad Urge Joint Efforts in War on Terrorism

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani stressed the need for tighter cooperation between the two neighboring states in the campaign against terrorists.
"Campaign against terrorism necessitates unity and coordination between governments and nations," Ahmadinejad said at the meeting with Gilani.

"Enemies of our nations and regional countries are striving to spread insecurity and place obstacles in the way of the development of the regional nations," he continued.

Gilani, for his part, said Tehran and Islamabad can "take effective steps in combating terrorism through close cooperation and coordination."

He also vowed that "Pakistan will never allow others to harm its bilateral relations" with Iran.

In June, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to jointly fight militancy at a counter-terrorism summit in Tehran attended by their respective heads of state.

Iran and Pakistan have been enjoying cordial and brotherly ties for a long time, and analysts believe that the strong bilateral relations between Iran and Pakistan are vital for the stability of the region.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visited Tehran in July, his second in two months, as the two neighbors vowed to expand cooperation in all fields.

Also, Zardari, in a joint press conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on Friday, stressed his nation's strong alliance with Iran, and said Islamabad will have tight cooperation with Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi was in Islamabad last week and discussed political and economic issues with Pakistani officials.