Islamabad, 23 July 2024 (TDI): Pakistan and Turkmenistan have agreed to work together for trade diversification, early finalization of the transit trade agreement and a liberal visa policy to facilitate greater contact between businessmen of the two countries.
The understanding came at the third round of Pakistan-Turkmenistan’s Bilateral Political Consultations. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar led the Pakistani delegation while the Turkmenistan side was led by its Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow.
Later, when sharing details of the meeting at a joint press stake-out, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the two sides undertook a comprehensive view of bilateral relations in all dimensions.
He said the two countries have agreed to intensify joint efforts to expand further and deepen bilateral cooperation including in the political, economic and defense domain. We especially deliberated upon ways and means to develop close economic engagement in the priority areas of trade and investment, energy, connectivity and Information Technology.
Ishaq Dar invited Turkmenistan’s companies to benefit from investment opportunities in Pakistan. He pointed out that the Special Investment Facilitation Council is facilitating foreign investors to invest in different sectors.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan’s seaports offer the business communities of both countries to explore win-win opportunities. We welcome businesses and enterprises in Turkmenistan to avail of Gwadar and Karachi seaports for trade connectivity with the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
The two sides also reviewed progress on TAPI gas pipeline as well as electricity transmission lines projects.
Ishaq Dar said these projects offer enormous opportunities for the two countries and the region.
The Foreign Minister said we have decided to promote bilateral parliamentary and cultural exchanges, educational scholarships and people-to-people contacts.
Ishaq Dar said that he also briefed the visiting dignitary about the dismal human rights situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He said durable peace in South Asia remains contingent on the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute under UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmir people.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow, in his remarks, said relations with Pakistan are one of the priority areas of our foreign policy.
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Rasit Meredow said we have expressed an unwavering resolve to implement projects such as TAPI, power transmission lines, and fibre optic communication, saying these will not only strengthen our bond of friendship but also exemplify our mutually beneficial partnership.
Rasit Meredow said we have decided to maintain active dialogue on creating international transport routes to capitalize on the transit potential of both countries.
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