Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Wednesday stressed the need to observe international legality and resolve Iran's nuclear issue peacefully, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

"Pakistan, being a friend and immediate neighbor of Iran, wishes an early peaceful end to this issue," Musharraf said at a meeting with Ali Larijani, secretary to the Supreme National Security Council of Iran who called on him later Wednesday.

Musharraf also expressed the hope that Iran-EU dialogue will be resumed and pursued to a successful conclusion.

He said that Pakistan values its relations with Iran.

As immediate neighbors sharing strong commonalities of history, faith and culture, the two countries have great potential and should spare no effort to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, he said.

Larijani, who arrived here early Wednesday morning to seek Pakistan's support for the continuation of Iran's nuclear program, briefed Musharraf on the policies of the new Iranian government. He conveyed the desire of the Iranian leadership to further intensify cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.

Larijani appreciated Pakistan's positive role at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to help resolve controversy over Iran's nuclear program. He said Iran has seriously pursued its dialogue with IAEA to reach an amicable solution.

Iran is still ready to cooperate with IAEA within the framework of the agency's regulations, but it will not give up its legitimate right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purpose, Larijani said.

Larijani's visit marked the first high-level contact between Pakistan and Iran since the installation of the new government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad last month.

Earlier Wednesday, Larijani called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who also expressed Islamabad's support for a peaceful settlement of Iran's nuclear issue.

Source: Xinhua