Iranian President and army chief discuss bilateral cooperation for regional stability

ISLAMABAD: Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi met with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir to discuss matters of mutual interest, focusing on peace, security, and economic prosperity in the region, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) revealed on Monday.

In a press release, the ISPR detailed that during the meeting, both leaders discussed increasing bilateral cooperation to ensure stability and promote economic prosperity in the region. “Both sides concurred on the necessity to bolster bilateral cooperation while jointly striving for regional stability and economic prosperity”, the statement read.

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The leaders also discussed areas of concerns and ways to ensure stability regionally, especially regarding border issues. “The discussion primarily focused on matters of mutual interest, notably regional peace, stability, and border security”, the statement said.

The army chief stated that the Pakistan-Iran border was a ‘symbol of peace and friendship’, and said both countries needed to strengthen mutual communication and cooperation to effectively address security challenges along the border.

“COAS described the Pak-Iran border as “the border of peace and friendship,” emphasizing the need for improved coordination along the border to prevent terrorists from jeopardising the longstanding brotherly relations between the two neighboring countries”.

The army chief stated that terrorists seek to undermine the strong bond between Pakistan and Iran and that enhancing relations between the two countries would thwart such attempts.

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In turn, the Iranian president stated that a better cooperation between the countries’ armed forces would not only bolster the security of Pakistan and Iran but also contribute to overall regional stability.

“President Ebrahim Raisi emphasized that by fostering cooperation between the two Armed Forces, Pakistan and Iran can attain peace and stability for both nations and the region”, the press release stated.

Both leaders expressed optimism about the prospects of future cooperation and said they were committed to strengthening bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of their nations and the wider region.