TEHRAN First Vice President Hassan Habibi told the new Pakistani Ambassador to Tehran Javid Hossein on Tuesday that friendly ties between the two countries and promotion of bilateral cooperation in economic, political, cultural and commercial affairs is considered as an important factor in peace and stability of the region. He said that efforts should be made to consolidate ties between the two neighboring countries as well as with other regional countries, since the region mainly needs regional cooperation and calm.

The first vice president said Iran, Pakistan and other states of the region should endeavor to resolive Afghan problems without interfering in the internal affairs of that country through fostering understanding and preparing talks between different Afghan factions. He referred to the illegitimate presence of the U.S. forces in the region and said turmoils and problems of the Middle East and the Far East have emerged due to unwise U.S. involvement in such affairs.

He stressed that Iran is among regional countries that has stood up against U.S. threats in the aftermath of the victory of the Islamic Revolution. The Pakistani diplomat said in the meeting that there is a solid bond of friendship and cooperation between Iran and Pakistan, adding that Iran as the current chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference spearheads the efforts aimed at establishment of peace and stablity in the region.

He said Pakistani government and people feel they share any success that Iran achieves and see them effective in broadening Iran-Pakistan friendly ties. The ambassador remarked that both countries enjoy convergent viewpoints regarding various regional, Islamic and international subjects and such a relation could serve as a proper pattern for other countries. (IRNA)