Pakistan, Turkmenistan agree for enhanced high-level dialogue, exchanges

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Pakistan and Turkmenistan on Tuesday, noting the positive trajectory of the bilateral relations, agreed to further enhance high-level dialogue and exchanges at the leadership level, besides strengthening the bilateral dialogue mechanisms.

The bilateral ties were discussed in the Third Round of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Bilateral Political Consultations held here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar led the Pakistan side while the Turkmenistan side was led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, according to a Foreign Office said.

The two sides reviewed Pakistan-Turkmenistan bilateral relations, including bilateral trade and investment, energy cooperation, connectivity and people-to-people linkages.

The two sides agreed to intensify joint efforts to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation including political, economic and defence domains. It was also agreed to develop closer economic engagement in the priority areas of trade and investment, energy, connectivity and information technology. The two sides also discussed the projects of TAPI Pipeline and TAP Electricity Transmission Line.

The deputy prime minister and foreign minister expressed Pakistan’s commitment to further enhancing bilateral trade and economic ties commensurate with its true potential.

He underlined the need for early finalization of the Transit Trade Agreement and liberalization of the visa regime to facilitate businesspersons.

The two sides also agreed to promote bilateral parliamentary engagement and enhance cultural exchanges, educational scholarships including training of diplomats and people-to-people contacts.

It was agreed to work closely to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and dialogue in multilateral settings including at the United Nations and Economic Cooperation Organization.

Regional and global issues of mutual concern were also discussed including the situation in Afghanistan and the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.