Boosting border security promotes economic development: President Rouhani

President Hassan Rouhani says Iran and Pakistan should expand cooperation to boost security in the border region in a bid to promote economic development plans in both countries

“As Iranian borders are safe for Pakistan, efforts should also be made on the other side of the border to boost security in the border region,” President Rouhani said in a meeting with Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain in Islamabad on Saturday.

He added that Tehran is resolute to boost relations with Islamabad in different sectors and to meet its energy needs.

The Pakistani president, for his part, pointed to the spread of terrorism across the region and said Tehran and Islamabad should boost cooperation to counter terrorism and extremism.

Hussain said Islamabad is keen on strengthening relations with Tehran, particularly in economic fields, adding that further efforts should be made to increase bilateral trade exchanges which currently stand at over one billion dollars.

In a meeting with Sartaj Aziz, advisor to Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on national security and foreign affairs, on Saturday, Rouhani said Muslim nations should boost their unity to solve problems facing the Muslim world.

He added that Iran’s policy is based on strengthening cordial relations with neighbors and Muslim states.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran attaches importance to the expansion of its relations with Pakistan in all issues of mutual interest,” Rouhani said.

He called on Iran and Pakistan, as two main Muslim countries in the region, to make more efforts to boost unity and security in the Muslim world through bilateral cooperation and interaction in regional and international organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

President Rouhani also held a separate meeting with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Saturday during which the two sides stressed the importance of enhancing Tehran-Islamabad cooperation to tackle terrorism in the region and promote regional peace and stability.