KABUL: The leaders of Pakistan and Tajikistan have said that early finalisation of the trilateral agreement on transit trade among Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan will contribute to economic and trade relations by giving greater impetus to regional cooperation.
They stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of transit and transportation through enhanced cooperation at the regional level.
According to a Joint Communiqué issued after a 2-day visit (June 9-10) of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Tajikistan at the invitation of the Tajikistan government to participate in the High Level International Conference on the Implementation of the International Decade for Action, “Water for life” 2005-2015, the two sides discussed the whole range of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The two sides also emphasised the importance of the Joint Commission on Energy & Infrastructure, which was established on the instructions of President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The Commission shall hold meetings twice a year to explore possibilities of mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of energy and infrastructure.
Both the countries reiterated the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan in the fight against international terrorism and extremism, drug trafficking and other threats to regional and global security. They took note of the exhibition to be held in Dushanbe in October 2015 which will facilitate introduction of Pakistani products in Tajikistan and the region.
The joint communiqué said the excellent cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the UN, OIC, ECO, SCO and other relevant international and regional organisations was noted with satisfaction by both sides. Pakistan expressed gratitude for Tajikistan’s support to Pakistan’s request for membership of SCO. The two sides agreed to work closely on the important issue of reforms in the UN Security Council.
PM Nawaz stated that he was looking forward to the state visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that will further strengthen and broaden the traditionally close and cooperative relations between the peoples of the two countries. He thanked the President of Tajikistan for the very warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and the members of his delegation during the visit.
