By Shafek Koreshe
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Tajikistan on Thursday while agreeing on stronger cooperation in energy, defence and trade, vowed to improve their connectivity to further deepen their bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon addressing a press stakeout, following their delegation level talks here at the PM House, termed the visit “productive” and “fruitful” and said it helped further expand their multifaceted relationship.
The two leaders besides inking a joint statement signed seven agreements dealing with cooperation in energy, industrial sectors, extradition, establishment of Joint Business Council, collaboration in Science and Technology and Geology.
“We reviewed our ties and agreed to build on the potential ofour relationship for the mutual advantage of the two peoples,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said.
The Tajik President, who is in Pakistan for sixth time, termed his State visit another success and said the two countries laid a “solid foundation” by inking another set of agreements, that would help them explore new avenues of cooperation.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the establishment of the Joint Business Council would strengthen their trade. A meeting on the sidelines of the visit would help the two business sectors interact and enter into joint ventures, he added.
The two countries that increased their trade from a meager US 15 million dollars in 2011 to US 89 million in 2014 are trying to increase it to US 500 million dollars.
The Tajik President is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers and other senior officials, and a number of leading businessmen of Tajikistan are accompanying him.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan was looking forward to the early completion of the CASA 1000 project and said it would help Pakistan meet its energy needs.
The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon invited the Prime Minister on a State visit to Dushanbe next year for the inauguration of the project. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation.
Source: APP
