The foreign minister met Sartaj Aziz, special advisor to Pakistan's prime minister on national security and foreign affairs, in New York on Thursday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss ways of expanding political and commercial ties between the two countries and exchange views on the latest regional and international developments.
Mohammad Javad Zarif highlighted the importance of boosting economic relations between Tehran and Islamabad in the post-sanctions era, especially exportation of natural gas and electricity from Iran to Pakistan. The two sides called for increased exchange of high-ranking economic delegations, IRNA reported.
In a separate meeting, Zarif and Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides stressed the need for regular consultations on major regional issues.
Zarif also expressed hope that Cyprus would continue to play its constructive role as a member of the European Union to help defuse the ongoing crises in Syria and Yemen.
Congratulating Iran on clinching the July 14 nuclear deal with major powers, Kasoulides called for increased diplomatic contacts and consultations between Iran and Cyprus to help settle Middle East disputes and put an end to the migrant crisis, triggered by regional conflicts.
In another meeting, the top Iranian diplomat and his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem underlined the need for stepping up the campaign against terrorism in the region, especially in the war-ravaged Arab country.
The foreign minister also held a meeting with his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra, in which the two sides discussed issues of mutual interest and the Sept. 24 crush disaster in Mecca which claimed the lives of over 450 Iranian pilgrims; moreover, they underscored the necessity of cooperation among oil producers to help stabilize the oil price.
