Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House on Tuesday afternoon.
The Prime Minister fondly recalled his meeting with the Grand Leader of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at Astana earlier this month and stated that he was looking forward to welcome H.E Berdimuhamedov in Pakistan at an early date.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the holding of the 3rd Round of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Bilateral Political
Consultations, led by the two Foreign Ministers and stressed the need for regular engagements of all the institutional mechanisms between the two countries. He also highlighted the need for enhanced trade, economic, investment and cultural relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan. The Prime Minister invited the Turkmen companies to benefit from the promising investment climate of Pakistan, highlighting the special role of SIFC in facilitating foreign investors to invest in different sectors of the country. He also underlined the importance of regional cooperation and connectivity and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to early completion of TAPI Pipeline as well as working together on other connectivity projects.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Turkmenistan on Tuesday, noting the positive trajectory of the bilateral relations, agreed to further enhance high-level dialogue and exchanges at the leadership level, besides strengthening the bilateral dialogue mechanisms. The bilateral ties were discussed in the Third Round of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Bilateral Political Consultations held here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar led the Pakistan side while the Turkmenistan side was led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, according to a Foreign Office press release.
The two sides reviewed Pakistan-Turkmenistan bilateral relations, including bilateral trade and investment, energy cooperation, connectivity and people-to-people linkages. The two sides agreed to intensify joint efforts to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation including political, economic and defence domains. It was also agreed to develop closer economic engagement in the priority areas of trade and investment, energy, connectivity and information technology. The two sides also discussed the projects of TAPI Pipeline and TAP Electricity Transmission Line.
The deputy prime minister and foreign minister expressed Pakistan’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral trade and economic ties commensurate with its true potential. He underlined the need for early finalization of the Transit Trade Agreement and liberalization of the visa regime to facilitate businesspersons.
The two sides also agreed to promote bilateral parliamentary engagement and enhance cultural exchanges, educational scholarships including training of diplomats and people-to-people contacts.
It was agreed to work closely to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and dialogue in multilateral settings including at the United Nations and Economic Cooperation Organization. Regional and global issues of mutual concern were also discussed including the situation in Afghanistan and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, talking to Rashid Meredov, called for further expanding bilateral ties with Turkmenistan in all fields of mutual interest.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to its relations with Turkmenistan, saying that Pakistan-Turkmenistan relations were based on a common vision for peace and prosperity in the region. He added that the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries signified the mutual desire to further strengthen bilateral understanding and cooperation.
The Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan said that his country would continue to promote economic, cultural and educational cooperation with Pakistan. He highlighted the importance of constructing motorways and railways, through Afghanistan, to connect the two brotherly countries. Foreign Minister Meredov conveyed the greetings of the leadership of Turkmenistan to the President.
