Iran envoy calls for establishing Islamic coalition for peace

In an exclusive interview with Pakistani state news agency APP, Mehdi Honardoost said that the coalition of peace has more priority and importance than any other problem.

He said that Iran firmly believes that all the tensions which the Islamic world is facing can be resolved mutually.

Talking about the Pak-Iran trade ties, he said the bilateral trade was not up to its potential. However, he said the Free Trade Agreement draft has been signed and it would soon be operative to enhance two-way trade.

He said the relevant authorities of both countries would be meeting in the forthcoming 20th round of the economic joint commission between Pakistan and Iran during which, he added, some tangible plans would be evolved to further strengthen the trade ties.

Both neighboring Iran and Pakistan are unique in the region and have very friendly and brotherly relations and their population constitutes a good market for the business community of the two countries, he said.

“Our future is bright after the removal of impediments. Hopefully our trade relations would continue to grow,” he remarked.

The ambassador expressing his views said Iran is ready to use its special influence and relations with Pakistan and India to mediate between the conflicting parties on Kashmir issue and help bring sustainable peace in the region.

He further said, 'We have not yet received any official request from both sides.'

Foreign minister of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif in a meeting with Pakistan’s Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on the sidelines of the Heart of Asia ministerial conference in India expressed Iran’s readiness to mediate between Pakistan and India if both sides ask to do so.

Mehdi Honardoost said any conflict, or tensions between the two countries would hinder the way of progress and development of both countries but would also impact upon the economies of the other countries in the region.

Responding to a query, the ambassador said right now terrorism is a global phenomenon. “It’s not located only in one area or in one country, and it is the consequence of the approach of the super powers towards terrorism”.

He said, 'If we analyze terrorism, the super powers have been supporting some sort of terrorist elements against the host country’s government at one time and fighting against it on some other time or in some other country”.

When asked his comments on Syria crisis, Mehdi Honardoost said that there were several terrorists groups in Syria some six years ago, “receiving some facilities from certain countries, they came against the people of Syria and its legal government, but the resistance of the people did not let them succeed.”

He was of the opinion that Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) was a very important circle and group for the Islamic world and underlined the need to widen its sphere by adding all Islamic countries in its fold.

“As part of this Family, we should try to have more interaction; many Islamic countries right now are in a chaotic situation, and their people in a bad situation. We should try to improve the conditions. The responsibility of this issue is on the shoulders of the big and important Islamic countries like Iran and Pakistan”.

He said the Islamic world is facing multifaceted problems at present which include conflicts and tensions between each other besides global challenges.

“More interaction and cooperation between the biggest Islamic countries can help remove tensions between them.”

Replying to a query on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said it is a giant project with full of opportunities not only for Pakistan and China but for all countries of the region.

Earlier, he extended his Norouz greetings to the people of Pakistan. He said it is the beginning of the New Year and arrival of spring.

About his official assignment, he said he was increasing interactions with other departments and sectors in Pakistan to achieve better results. “I feel like at home as the people are almost the same, the same moods and styles, attitudes and almost the same environment including weather as he finds in Mashad and its suburbs.”

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