国际英语新闻：Pakistan, Iran to support peace, stability in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Pakistan have agreed to coordinate their positions to support sustainable peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, within the Pakistan-Afghanistan- Iran trilateral framework.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Ameer Mansoor Borghei'e in a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry said.

They reaffirmed their support to the process of national reconciliation and reintegration initiated by President Hamid Karzai, the Ministry said in a statement.

The two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with special emphasis on economic cooperation between the two countries, it said.

They expressed satisfaction at the increase in the volume of bilateral trade which crossed 1.2 billion U.S. dollars during the last financial year.

They particularly appreciated the progress achieved in energy projects, especially the signing of agreements for the Iran- Pakistan gas pipeline project.

The two sides reiterated their resolve to expedite its implementation. The two sides agreed to hold regular consultations to review progress in bilateral cooperation.

The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister also held bilateral talks with Pakistan Foreign Secretary, where the entire gamut of bilateral relations came under discussion.