ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accompanied by cabinet members and senior officials left for Turkmenistan on Wednesday for a two-day official visit to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.
“Pakistan greatly values close, friendly and historical relations with the Central Asian Republics and is keen to further strengthen these ties with them in all fields especially energy security and connectivity,” the Foreign Office said in a statement issued in Islamabad.
During his stay in Turkmenistan, the prime minister will hold one-on-one meeting with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov that would be followed by delegation-level talks.
The main focus of the meeting would be to review the whole range of bilateral relations including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project and energy security, economy, trade and commerce, education, defence, science and technology, culture and regional as well as global issues of mutual concern.
The two countries will also sign a number of agreements and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for cooperation in diverse fields.
Later on Thursday, Nawaz Sharif will go to Kyrgyzstan where he will hold meeting with the Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev in Bishkek.
The two sides will also hold delegation-level talks to discuss issues of mutual cooperation in various fields.
A few MoUs and agreements are likely to be signed between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
“The cooperation among Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan is important for energy security and stability in the region to enable gas and oil pipelines, electricity transmission, air and road connectivity and trade,” the foreign office said.
