ISLAMABAD, NOV 11, SPA -- Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has told the Iranian and Turkish ambassador that the challenges confronting the region demand greater unity and solidarity among Pakistan, Turkey and Iran, said an official statement. Talking to the Ambassadors of Turkey Engine Soysal and Iran Mashaalah Shakeri, he said Pakistan s relations with Iran and Turkey were based on shared faith, culture and history that add depth to their trilateral relations. Aziz said Pakistan and its people attach highest importance to further strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation with Iran and Turkey by adding more content, substance and vigour to trade and economic partnership. He urged the need to progress in establishing transportation links among the three countries through land, air and sea as it was important to boost trade and economic activities to build dependable relations. The prime minister emphasized the need for early signing of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to leverage considerable potential of boosting trade and investment opportunities between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. Aziz said the existing volume of trade between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey was below its actual potential which needs to be increased further through signing of FTA. The FTA would send a good signal and open doors of cooperation between the private sectors, the prime minister said adding that the bonds of affection that exist between our peoples would add to the ease of doing business in each other s courtiers. He also appreciated the help extended by Turkey and Iran in supplementing the government efforts for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the quake affectees. The Ambassadors thanked the prime minister for his efforts to further promote economic and trade relations and expressed the hope that these relations would further strengthen in future. --SPA www.spa.gov.sa/498728