Nuclear officials from Iran, Pakistan propose civilian nuclear energy co-op
TEHRAN- The nuclear chiefs from Iran and Pakistan has discussed cooperation in areas of nuclear technology for civilian purposes
Mohammad Eslami of Iran and Raja Ali Raza Anwar of Pakistan held talks on the issue on Thursday on the sidelines of the annual session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna.
Eslami and Raza Anwar also discussed cooperation in other fields.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian stated last month that the Islamic Republic places no limitation on the development of full-fledged ties with neighboring Pakistan in areas of mutual interest.
Amir Abdollahian made statements during a meeting with Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani, the chairman of the Pakistani Senate, in Islamabad on August 4.
He described the current trend of ties as positive that are geared toward future growth.
Iran’s top diplomat has urged Pakistan to finish its portion of the much-delayed project that has been put on hold since 2014, citing the multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline connecting the two nations as one of the prominent areas of bilateral cooperation.
Pakistan was obliged to complete the pipeline’s construction on its soil by the end of 2014.
But the work stalled, upsetting Tehran, which has said it had invested $2 billion in the pipeline on its side of the border.
Washington has voiced opposition to the pipeline because it could go against the unlawful sanctions placed on Tehran.
The Iranian foreign minister also emphasized the value of fostering cross-border commerce and called for the timely fulfillment of agreements on the development and completion of border terminals and markets.
Back in August, Amir Abdollahian visited Islamabad to meet with local officials and businesspersons.
In conformity with international law, the Iranian foreign minister proposed a variety of ideas to improve economic and commercial relations with Pakistan.
In a meeting with Shehbaz Sharif, then Prime Minister of Pakistan, he also provided him with information on the discussions between delegates from the two states on political, economic, trade, security, and border issues.
Pointing to the agreements about banking activities, barter system and gas transfer pipelines, Amir Abdollahian reaffirmed Iran’s determination to carry out the bilateral deals with Pakistan.