ISTANBUL: President Mamnoon Hussain on Friday said that Pakistan was giving high priority to the timely completion of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.
He stated that the project was not only cost effective for all countries concerned but also provided an opportunity for enhancing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.
The President said this in a meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, held on the sidelines of centenary celebrations for Canakkale battles here.
He underlined the importance of direct transportation links for the enhancement of bilateral trade and commerce ties.
The President stated that improved rail and road connectivity would not only help in improving bilateral economic relations but would also facilitate Turkmenistan’s access to the sea through Pakistan’s sea ports.
The two dignitaries also agreed to expedite work on TAPI gas pipeline project.
The President expressed hope that Pakistan and Turkmenistan would resume air links which had been suspended since year 2000.
Emphasizing the importance that Pakistan attached to its relations with Turkmenistan, the President said that Turkmenistan was a major player in the region.
Both countries occupy strategic locations and their economies complement each other, he added.
The President stated that the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries was below the potential and emphasized the need to explore new possibilities of cooperation in commercial and economic areas.
He underlined the need to take effective measures to ensure that economic cooperation was at par with the political relations between the two countries.
The President said that both counties could enter into mutually beneficial joint ventures in areas like information technology, telecommunications, banking and construction. He proposed that trade facilitation bodies and Chambers of Commerce & Industry of both countries be enabled to create linkages and synergies to further bilateral economic cooperation.
