Iran’s Zarif Holds Talks on Regional Issues with Omani Officials

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Muscat, (Oman News Agency)
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Muscat, (Oman News Agency)
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Iran’s Zarif Holds Talks on Regional Issues with Omani Officials

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Muscat, (Oman News Agency)
Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during his talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in Muscat, (Oman News Agency)

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with Omani officials in Muscat on Wednesday .

Zarif met with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood al-Busaidi during which they touched upon latest developments in the region.

The officials discussed joint cooperation and means of promoting friendly relations on various levels. The two sides also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

They affirmed respect for the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, the United Nations Charter and the support of the international system based on the rule of law, equality, justice and strengthening the endeavors and means to achieve security and stability.

They also underscored the importance of resolving issues and conflicts by peaceful means and through dialogue to achieve global peace and harmony.

The two sides agreed on the importance of continuing consultations and exchanging views between them on various regional and global issues and developments, foremost of which is to address the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

They stressed the importance of bilateral and multilateral cooperation, exchanging relevant experiences and information and strengthening efforts to control and prevent its spread.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saeed Khatibzadeh said on Tuesday that the purpose of Zarif’s visit to Oman is to hold talks about Tehran-Muscat relations and regional cooperation.



Pakistan Says Balochistan Militant Attacks Aim to Thwart China Cooperation

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (dpa)
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (dpa)
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Pakistan Says Balochistan Militant Attacks Aim to Thwart China Cooperation

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (dpa)
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (dpa)

Attacks by separatist militants in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan are aimed at stopping development projects that form part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.

The assaults that began on Sunday, killing more than 70, were the most widespread in years by ethnic militants seeking to win secession of the resource-rich province, home to major China-led projects such as a port and a gold and copper mine.

“The terrorists want to stop CPEC and development projects,” Sharif said in a televised address to cabinet, adding that the militants also wanted to drive a wedge between Islamabad and Beijing.

CPEC, said to have development commitments worth $65 billion, is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road initiative.

Pakistan has not been able to fully build the infrastructure needed to tap mineral resources in poverty-stricken Balochistan, and has sought China's help in developing the province.

In Beijing, China condemned the attacks and vowed to maintain its support for Pakistan's counter-terrorism efforts.

“China is ready to further strengthen counter-terrorism security co-operation with the Pakistani side in order to jointly maintain regional peace and security,” Lin Jian, a foreign ministry spokesperson, told a regular news briefing.

Beijing has previously flagged concerns about the security of its citizens working on projects in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.

Six Chinese engineers working on a dam project were killed in March in the northwest.

Separatist militants have also targeted Balochistan's deepwater Gwadar port, which is run by China.

One of the groups, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), took responsibility for this week's simultaneous attacks on police stations, railway lines and highways in the province, the largest but least developed of Pakistan's four.

Hundreds of its fighters, including seven suicide bombers, participated in the attacks, it said in a statement.

Chinese targets have previously come under attack by several Baloch militant groups, who say they have been fighting for decades for a larger share in the regional wealth of mines and minerals denied by the central government.