Uzbekistan and Pakistan have identified priority areas for expanding strategic partnership

According to the press service of the President, the leaders of Uzbekistan and Pakistan discussed issues of further expanding strategic partnership.

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, who arrived in Tashkent on an official visit, was given a ceremonial welcome. After the ceremony, negotiations were held in a narrow circle and with the participation of official delegations. During the meeting, agreements were reached on expanding trade and economic cooperation. In particular, measures were determined to increase the volume of mutual trade to $ 2 billion based on the adopted "road map".

Also, priority areas such as expanding the list of goods under the preferential trade agreement, simplifying phytosanitary and quarantine requirements, facilitating customs procedures, harmonizing standards, integrating electronic trading platforms, and improving interbank settlement mechanisms were discussed.

The leaders exchanged views on plans to implement joint projects in such areas as pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, agricultural machinery, geology, mineral resources, textiles, and the leather industry.

The head of state proposed holding a forum of the regions of the two states in order to develop interregional business and cultural ties.

Particular attention was also paid to the development of cooperation in the transport sector. It was noted that in recent years, the volume of cargo transportation through the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan multimodal corridor has increased fivefold. In order to further increase this volume of cargo, it was agreed to establish a joint transport and logistics company and develop cooperation in implementing the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway.

The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission is planned to be held in Lahore in July of this year.

The parties reached an agreement to further expand cooperation in the cultural, humanitarian and tourism sectors, hold mutual cultural weeks and tourism programs.

The leaders also exchanged views on international and regional issues. The importance of continuing cooperation within the framework of the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the SCO and other international organizations was noted.

The President of Uzbekistan and the Prime Minister of Pakistan stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism, radicalism, Islamophobia and modern threats to security.

It is also planned to establish a High-Level Strategic Partnership Council to develop new areas of cooperation and hold its first meeting next year.

A decision was made to develop and approve a joint “road map” for the implementation of the agreements reached as a result of the high-level talks.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Pakistani Prime Minister arrived in Uzbekistan on an official visit on February 25. At Tashkent International Airport, he was welcomed by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and other officials. After a brief conversation, Shahboz Sharif, accompanied by Abdulla Aripov, visited the New Uzbekistan Park and laid flowers at the Independence Monument. An official welcoming ceremony for the Pakistani Prime Minister was held at the International Congress Center in Tashkent on February 26.

At the end of the visit, a joint declaration and bilateral documents are planned to be signed. As part of the visit, the leaders will also participate in the Uzbekistan-Pakistan Joint Business Forum.

Uzbekistan-Pakistan Relations

Pakistan is one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Uzbekistan on December 20, 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on May 10, 1992. In recent years, economic cooperation has reached a new level. The trade turnover, which was $122 million in 2019, will reach $387 million by 2023.

In 2024, the volume of trade turnover will exceed $400 million, and the number of joint ventures will reach 130. The opening of trading houses in Karachi and Tashkent, and the resumption of direct flights between Tashkent and Lahore indicate the strengthening of cooperation.

Active political dialogues, effective inter-parliamentary and inter-agency contacts continue. Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”