TEHRAN, May 07 (MNA) – The Iranian Consulate General in Karachi, Hassan Nourian stated that meaningful and efficient negotiations were held between the authorities of Iran and Pakistan on the gas pipeline project.Speaking to the journalists in the Pakistani city of Karachi, Hassan Nourian stressed the importance of the Iranian president Ebrahim Raeisi's recent visit to Karachi, the economic heart of that country, noting that his visit to Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi was due to the latest developments in bilateral relations between the two countries.

Regarding bilateral relations, he stated that the two parties pledged to increase bilateral trade between Iran and Pakistan to 10 billion dollars in the coming years.

In addition, an agreement was reached to strengthen trade and energy cooperation, including the joint gas contract, which has been delayed due to technical and political reasons, Nourian added.

Citing the joint statement of Iran and Pakistan at the end of the official visit of Ebrahim Raeisi, Nourian stated that both countries reached an agreement to accelerate the process of finalizing the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), holding the next meetings of the annual bilateral political consultations, the joint trade committee and also holding the 22nd round of the Joint Economic Commission shortly.

Reffering to the relations between Tehran and Islamabad in the field of energy, the Iranian Consulate General in Karachi said that meaningful and constructive negotiations were held between the authorities of the two countries on the gas pipeline project.

Iran is aware of Pakistan's need for energy and is ready to supply gas to its neighboring country stably and sufficiently.

He said that Iran increased the export of electricity needed in Balochistan and Gwadar region of Pakistan to 200 megawatts last year, and it will not spare any help for the economic development of Pakistan.

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