AMMAN, 10 March 2006 — Jordan and Pakistan yesterday called for a negotiated settlement of Iran’s nuclear crisis with the West and agreed to boost efforts against terrorism.
“We would like to see the nuclear issue solved in a diplomatic matter. We have enough problems in the region,” Jordanian Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit told reporters at a joint news conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
“All stake holders should sit around and use all their diplomatic skills to solve this issue,” said Aziz, who was on a one-day visit to Amman. He added however that countries have the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The two countries also signed agreements to scrap double taxation, promote tourism and boost consultations on major world developments.
Bakhit said they examined means to take bilateral ties “to a higher level” and establish “a strategic dialogue” that would include political, economic, military and security issues. “Pakistan and Jordan share a common sense of purpose in fighting terrorism,” Aziz said. He also dismissed Afghan accusations that his country was harboring Taleban militants.
Aziz, who also held talks with King Abdallah, said that Amman and Islamabad agreed to unite forces to narrow the gap between the Western and Muslim world and promote “inter-faith understanding.”
