DUSHANBE, Tajikistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has noted that there is immense potential to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan in diverse fields including trade, aviation, railways, and connectivity, the Dispatch News Desk (DND) news agency reported.
In a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi held in Dushanbe on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 9th Ministerial Conference of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, Qureshi highlighted that Pakistan provides the shortest route to the Central Asian States through the Gwadar port, and invited Kazakhstan to utilize the opportunity for mutual benefit.
Good to meet FM #MukhtarTileuberdi to discuss a more comprehensive bilat relationship focussed on trade, aviation, agriculture & defence production w/ strategic benefit of 🇵🇰 regional connectivity providing shortest trade route to C Asian States through the port of Gwadar. 🇵🇰 🇰🇿 pic.twitter.com/OKBhJ38ami
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 30, 2021
In the meeting, it was agreed between the two sides to optimally utilize the bilateral institutional mechanisms to promote practical cooperation, particularly through the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC), Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC), and Joint Working Groups (JWG) in relevant fields.
The importance of reinforcing road connectivity through QTTA (Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement) was also emphasized.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi shared his perspective on the regional situation, particularly Pakistan’s positive contributions to the Afghan peace process.
Qureshi added that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would give impetus to connectivity, leading to overall trade enhancement, facilitation of business travel, and people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides also affirmed their resolve to enhance mutual collaboration in the multi-lateral fora including the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), and CICA.
The two sides agreed to maintain close contact and advance bilateral cooperation in all areas of common interest.
