Manend Team 
ISLAMABAD, (MANEND NEWS): Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed
on early completion of Trans-Afghan railway project.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held delegation-
level talks with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Dr. Abdulaziz
Kamilov on Wednesday. Views were exchanged on enhancement of
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 the two countries and
agreed on early completion of Trans-Afghan railway project. Foreign
Minister Qureshi emphasized the importance of direct air connectivity
to further trade and tourism. He also stressed facilitation of visas for
businessmen and tourists.
Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined the need to further strengthen the
existing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries through
exchange of visits. He 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.
Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed satisfaction at the level of
cooperation between the two countries in the multilateral organizations
such as the UN, OIC, ECO and SCO.
The Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s positive role for the
facilitation of Intra-Afghan Negotiations. The Foreign Minister
reiterated Pakistan’s support to Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace
and reconciliation process culminating in an inclusive and broad-based
political solution. 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 IIOJK by Indian security
forces.
Foreign Minister 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.
