Tehran (IP) - The Pakistani Foreign Minister described his visit to Iran as the beginning of a new phase in the development of relations between the two countries and admired the concordance of Tehran and Islamabad's positions on peace in Afghanistan as unique and exemplary.

Iran PressIran News: Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday before leaving for Mashhad, explained the most important points of his meetings in Tehran and talks with high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Expressing satisfaction with the fruitful meetings with President Hassan Rouhani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, he said: "The two sides agreed upon the fact that in the last 3 years, Iran-Pakistan relations have progressed very pleasantly and reliably."

Qureshi said: "The fraternal relations between the two countries has been deepened and it was also agreed that Iran and Pakistan will strengthen parliamentary cooperation to cement interactions and help increasing contacts with each other."

Referring to the problem of extremism against Islam in Western countries and the escalation of derogatory actions against Muslim sanctities, he said: "The parliaments of Iran and Pakistan were to take coordinated steps to enlighten against Islamophobia and develop a joint strategy to combat this phenomenon."

The Pakistani Foreign Minister reviewed the latest developments in Afghanistan and security developments in the region in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, adding: "The view of Tehran and Islamabad and the concordance of their positions on Afghanistan compared to the past is unique and exemplary."

He described the signing of the agreement on the establishment of joint border markets between Iran and Pakistan as the beginning of a new phase in the development of relations between the two countries at the same time as the opening of the new opportunity to develop bilateral cooperation.

On the third day of his official visit to Iran, the Pakistani Foreign Minister and members of his accompanying delegation, after meeting and consulting with Iranian officials, were accompanied a few minutes ago by Rasul Mousavi, Assistant to the Foreign Minister, and Director General of West Asia Department. They left Tehran for Holy Mashhad and are scheduled to pay a visit to the Holy shrine of eighth Shi'a Imam Ali Ibn Musa Al-Reza (AS).

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