President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy close, friendly and fraternal relations based on shared faith, culture and heritage. The President said this while talking to Ambassador of Uzbekistan Mr. Furkat Sidikov, who called on him in Islamabad on Monday. The President expressed the desire to further strengthen the existing excellent bilateral relations to the mutual benefit of the people of two brotherly countries. He underscored that we have to make efforts to enhance cooperation in the economic and commercial fields. He added that there has been an appreciable increase in our bilateral trade from previous years but we should jointly strive to increase its volume in the years ahead. He stated that Uzbekistan’s impressive annual economic growth and rich energy resources and Pakistan’s large industrial and agricultural base provide sufficient complementarities for expanding commercial relations. He expressed Pakistan’s keenness to further strengthen bilateral relations in the sectors like Trade, Energy, Agriculture, Education, Science & Technology, Infrastructure and Transportation. The President underlined that there is an immense potential of religious and cultural tourism between the two countries. This potential can be exploited by giving visa facilitation to citizens of the two countries, he added. The President pointed out that Pakistan in the next five years would focus on greater rail and road connectivity, building oil and gas pipelines and electricity transmission networks with its regional neighbors, including Uzbekistan. He highlighted that Gwadar Seaport with our national road and railway networks would offer shortest route available to Uzbekistan in the region to a seaport. He appreciated Uzbekistan’s proposal of a railway link between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan and welcomed its lead to host the 1st Expert meeting in December 2018. The President also welcomed Uzbek initiatives for regional peace and security, especially for the reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan. He further said that Pakistan fully supports and encourages the peace talks between all stakeholders for a durable peace in Afghanistan. Enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan is in Pakistan`s interest, he added. He also appreciated Uzbekistan’s support for Pakistan’s successful election to the UN Human Rights Council. Ambassador of Uzbekistan Mr. Furkat Sidikov commended the efforts of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and stated that Uzbekistan supports Pakistan’s point of view on Afghanistan issue. He further said that there is a tremendous potential to enhance trade and economic relations between the two countries and he will make all possible efforts in this regard. ********
PREVIOUS NEXT
