Dear Prime Minister,
Dear Members of the Delegation,
Dear Representatives of the Media,
Today, we are witnessing an important event.
We are pleased to welcome to our country the Prime Minister of Pakistan, a trusted and important partner of Kyrgyzstan, on his official visit.
Let me take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, for accepting my invitation.
I am particularly pleased to meet with you again in Bishkek, following my state visit to Pakistan in December last year.
I would like to note that, in a very short period of time, Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations have gained unprecedented momentum.
Following my official visit to Pakistan, His Excellency President Asif Ali Zardari paid an official visit to Kyrgyzstan in July this year. And today, we are pleased to warmly welcome Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to our country.
The high-level contacts between our countries in such a short period are clear evidence of the strong mutual trust and our shared commitment to bringing Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations to a new level.
At a time when international tensions are increasing, strengthening friendship, deepening mutual understanding and developing cooperation are more important than ever.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, Prime Minister Sharif and I held meaningful and productive talks in a friendly and brotherly atmosphere and discussed promising areas of cooperation.
As a result of our talks, we signed a Joint Statement.
This political document reflects our shared vision for the further development of Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations and sets out the main priorities for cooperation in the coming period.
In addition, we signed a substantial package of bilateral documents covering a wide range of areas of cooperation.
We also discussed current issues on the international and regional agenda.
Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan have traditionally maintained close cooperation within the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Economic Cooperation Organization. We expressed our readiness to continue regular political dialogue and coordination on international platforms.
Taking this opportunity, we congratulate Pakistan on assuming the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and express our readiness to provide our support.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The economy should be one of the main pillars of the Kyrgyz-Pakistani partnership.
Therefore, we agreed to take systematic steps to increase bilateral trade, expand the range of traded goods and attract investment.
We expressed our readiness to implement joint projects in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, light industry, tourism, the digital economy, virtual assets and other areas.
Transport and logistics were given special attention during our talks.
Pakistan’s seaports provide Kyrgyzstan with a natural route to the markets of South Asia and, further, to global trade routes.
At the same time, Kyrgyzstan can serve as an important transport bridge for Pakistan to the markets of Central Asia and, further, to the wider Eurasian region.
We will also continue our cooperation in the energy sector.
The CASA-1000 project, which connects the energy potential of Central Asia with the growing energy needs of South Asia, is of particular importance.
We agreed to further strengthen our cooperation in this area.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
People-to-people contacts are the strongest foundation of friendship between countries.
Today, thousands of Pakistani students are studying in Kyrgyzstan, mainly in medical fields.
We see them as an important part of the humanitarian ties between our peoples.
I am confident that today’s students will become doctors, specialists and professionals who will help strengthen the ties between our countries for many years to come.
Cooperation in science, culture, tourism, youth exchanges and sports is also an important part of our bilateral relations.
In this regard, I would like to highlight Pakistan’s participation in the 6th World Nomad Games.
Pakistan is taking part in the Games with a large sports delegation. We see this as a clear sign of respect for our shared efforts to preserve and promote traditional sports.
Dear Representatives of the Media,
Today’s talks have laid a strong foundation for further strengthening Kyrgyz-Pakistani cooperation and building bridges of friendship between our two peoples.
I am confident that the agreements we have reached will be implemented consistently.
Dear Prime Minister, once again, I would like to thank you for accepting my invitation and for your personal contribution to strengthening Kyrgyz-Pakistani relations.
I wish peace, prosperity and continued development to the brotherly people of Pakistan.
Thank you for your attention.
*-*-*-*-*
