ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Sirodjiddin Muhriddin met the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The two foreign ministers reviewed the status of bilateral cooperation in all areas including political, trade and economic, defence, education and regional connectivity fields and mutual collaboration at regional and global fora.
Qureshi extended felicitations on the 30th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence and 30 years of Pakistan-Tajikistan diplomatic relations.
Expressing satisfaction on the signing of the Joint Declaration on “Next Steps in Building Strategic Partnership for Regional Solidarity and Integration” and several other agreements and MoUs in a wide range of areas, earlier in the day, the two foreign ministers agreed on the speedy implementation and follow-up.
Great to welcome Tajikistan FM
Sirojiddin Muhriddin to the Foreign Office & to follow up on our discussions in Dushanbe on strengthening all bilateral ties across economic, political, defence and education spheres. Pleased to have signed a cooperation programme with FM Muhriddin pic.twitter.com/wtI1hL8gDI— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) June 2, 2021
➖Reiterated 🇵🇰 commitment to CASA-1000 power project & the need to boost cooperation in the field of energy.
➖Discussed regional connectivity & integration to 🇹🇯/ C Asian countries through our seaports and CPEC
➖Reviewed cooperation & coordination at all regional/global fora https://t.co/77STZaGGLh— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) June 2, 2021
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to timely completion of the CASA-1000 Power project and stressed to step-up cooperation in the energy sector.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi highlighted prospects for regional connectivity and integration to Tajikistan and Central Asian Countries through Pakistan’s seaports and CPEC. He said that both Countries should capitalize on the tremendous opportunities of trade and transit through these ports.
The foreign ministers reviewed cooperation at regional and international fora, including the UN, OIC, SCO, and ECO and agreed to enhance further coordination.
Qureshi felicitated his Tajik Counterpart on the assumption of the chairmanship of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) for 2021 and assured full cooperation of Pakistan on this count.
The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on global issues including climate change and countering Islamophobia.
In the regional context, Qureshi highlighted Pakistan’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process and stressed that a negotiated political settlement was indispensable for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. He added that this was also essential for advancing the shared objectives of peace, prosperity and regional connectivity.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi apprised the Tajik foreign minister about the situation of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) and attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory. He said that India needed to revisit its illegal actions of August 5, 2019 to create an enabling environment for dialogue and peaceful solution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The Tajik Foreign Minister Sirodjiddin Muhriddin is accompanying the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmonon his visit to Pakistan from June 2-3, 2021.
