ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday held delegation-level talks with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Dr. Abdulaziz Kamilov at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
Views were exchanged on enhancement of Pakistan-Uzbekistan economic cooperation, mutual support in international fora, regional connectivity and tourism promotion.
Outlining the vision of “Naya Pakistan” centered around economic security, the foreign minister underlined the importance of shifting focus from geo-politics to geo-economics, to advance the goals of national economic development.
Both sides expressed their firm resolve to boost high-level interactions to give impetus to the existing positive momentum in bilateral relations.
It was agreed to maximally utilize the existing institutional mechanisms by regularly convening sessions of Bilateral Political Consultations and Joint Ministerial Commission.
The two foreign ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved in advancing rail connectivity between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and agreed on early completion of Trans-Afghan railway project.
Good to meet Uzbek FM #AbdulazizKamilov for constructive talks to strengthen ties, build enhanced eco partnership centered on peace, development & connectivity. We are working closely to build regional connectivity with the timely construction of Trans-Afghan rail project. 🇵🇰 🇺🇿 pic.twitter.com/ZG8svf0us1
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 10, 2021
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi emphasized the importance of direct air connectivity to further trade and tourism. He also stressed facilitation of visas for businessmen and tourists.
Qureshi underlined the need to further strengthen the existing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries through exchange of visits.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomed the proposed “Re-connect Silk Route Conference” scheduled for July 2021. The event would help showcase Pakistani exports and products in Central Asia. He also underscored the importance of closer agricultural cooperation between the two countries particularly in cotton seed sector.
The foreign minister expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation between the two countries in the multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s positive role for the facilitation of Intra-Afghan Negotiations.
Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s support to Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process culminating in an inclusive and broad-based political solution. The establishment of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan would contribute to progress on various connectivity initiatives leading to regional prosperity. He also underlined the grave and systemic human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by the Indian security forces.
The Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov extended an invitation to Foreign Minister Qureshi to participate in the Central Asia- South Asia Connectivity Conference to be held in Tashkent in July 2021.
