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TEHRAN (Iran): Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Tuesday met Iranian President Syed Mohammad Khatami and discussed matters of regional and global significance as well as those related to mutual interests.

The meeting held at the State Guest House here, comprised over two rounds. In the first round they were assisted by their respective delegations while the second was one-to-one meeting, which lasted for around 15 minutes.

The Prime Minister was assisted by Minister for Privatization and Investment Senator Dr Abdul Hafiz Shaikh, MNAs Dewan Jafar Hussain Bukhari and Rai Azizullah Khan besides Principal Secretary to the PM Shuja Shah and D-8 Commissioner and Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs Tariq Usman Haider and Ambassador Iqbal Ahmed Khan.

Wide-ranging Topics

The meeting covered wide ranging matters especially in the light of emerging situation in the international scenario, the gas pipeline project between Iran and India through Pakistan was also discussed. President Khatami said that First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref would soon be visiting Pakistan to further discuss this project.

President Khatami thanked the government and the people of Pakistan for extending cooperation and assistance in rehabilitation of the people of Bam which was recently hit by a earthquake.

The President appreciated sending contingents of Pakistan Army Medical and Engineering Corps to help mitigate the problems of the quake affected people.

The two leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote their economic and trade ties.

Amity in South Asia

The Prime Minister apprised President Khatami about Pakistan's effort for promotion of lasting peace in the region. The President appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan and India to resolve their bilateral disputes including the core issue of Kashmir. He expressed the hope that their efforts would help achieve lasting peace in the region.

Premier Jamali gave details about their efforts for rebuilding of Afghanistan. Both the leaders highlighted the need for restoration of peace in Afghanistan.

The two leaders also reviewed the progress achieved on agreements for promoting bilateral trade and economic activity, reached during President Khatami's visit to Pakistan in October last year. He asked Prime Minister Jamali to convey his best wishes to President General Pervez Musharraf.

Khatami terms meeting with Jamali 'extremely successful'

Iranian President Syed Mohammad Khatami terming his meeting with Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali extremely successful said this would go a long way in furthering bilateral ties between Iran and Pakistan.

"The meeting was held in cordial atmosphere" President Khatami said while talking to media-men after meeting with the Prime Minister here at the Guest House on Tuesday.

Hails Indo-Pakistan Contact

President Khatami appreciated the process of dialogue initiated by India and Pakistan and hoped this would help achieve lasting peace in the region.

The Iranian leader said the normalization of relations between India and Pakistan would bring an era of economic development and prosperity for the whole region. This would also help complete the proposed project of gas pipeline between Iran and India through Pakistan.

The Iranian President said completion of this vital project would help boost economic activity in the region.

He said Iran and Pakistan have brotherly relations which would be strengthened further in all fields with special emphasis on trade, commerce and economics.

He said the first vice president of Iran Syed Aref Reza would be visiting Pakistan shortly and during his visit would suggest ways to further enhance bilateral ties.