FM Pakistan Meets the Host FM of Uzbekistan @ SCO FM’s Council – Afghan, Kyrgyz,Tajik Counterparts also Discuss Cooperation

Tashkent: 29 July 2022 – Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Norov Vladimir Imamovich of Uzbekistan today, on the sidelines of SCO-CFM being held at Tashkent.The two sides exchanged views on deepening bilateral cooperation in a range of areas including political, trade, economic, security, defence, and connectivity.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed satisfaction at the level of bilateral contacts in the last few years and stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum through consolidating the strategic partnership between Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He underscored the urgent need to operationalizeTransit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) and Preferential Trade Agreement for boosting trade and transit between the two countries.

The Foreign Minister underlined the importance of direct air connectivity to enhance business and people-to-people links. He also appreciated progress on joint media production on the common heritage and life of Mughal Emperor Zaheer-ud-din Babur.

The Foreign Minister re-affirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to timely completion of Trans-Afghan railway project and expressed pleasure at commencement of joint field expedition in Afghanistan in this context. He urged the need to fully utilize the potential of Pakistan’s seaports of Gwadar and Karachi by advancing the connectivity agenda.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the existing cooperation at regional and international fora, particularly at the UN, OIC, ECO and SCO. Uzbekistan is currently the chairman of ECO and SCO for the year 2022.

Speaking on regional and international issues, the ForeignMinister reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan and its benefits for the region and beyond.

Meeting with Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Republic

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev Moldokanovich on the sidelines of the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO-CFM) in Tashkent, today. He felicitated his counterpart on the 30th Anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The Foreign Minister underscored close cooperation between the two countries at bilateral and multilateral fora including at SCO, which demonstrated the commonality of views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The Foreign Minister underlined the importance of regular convening of formal mechanisms, between the two countries, in particular Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) and Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC). He also emphasized the importance of renewed focus on the important road and energy connectivity projects such as CASA-1000 and Quadrilateral Agreement on Traffic-in-Transit (QATT).

Foreign Minister’s Meeting with the Tajik Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a bilateral meeting with his Tajik counterpart Sirojiddin Muhriddin on the sidelines of the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO-CFM) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 28 July 2022.

The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to further enhance bilateral trade, promote regional connectivity,and strengthen people-to-people links between the two countries. He laid emphasis on reinvigorating bilateral economic relations by boosting trade and investment through cooperation in diverse areas and frequent exchange of business delegations.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the close cooperation between the two countries at the multilateral fora including at SCO and exchanged views on situation in Afghanistan. He underlined Pakistan’s efforts for relief efforts and lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and underscored the need for urgent international humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people. Hereiterated Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, united, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.

The Foreign Minister also underscored the importance of road and energy connectivity for regional prosperity and stressed the need for completion of CASA-1000 power transmission project in this context.

Foreign Minister meets Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi in Tashkent on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting.

During the meeting, the Foreign Minister reiterated solidarity and support for Afghan people following the destruction caused by recent earthquake in Afghanistan. He added that Pakistan remained firmly committed to a peaceful, stable, prosperous and connected Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasised that there was prospect of ending four-decade long conflict and establishing sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. He highlighted the various steps taken by Pakistan to support bilateral engagements with Afghanistan and facilitating international humanitarian assistance.

The Foreign Minister also underlined the need for enhanced cooperation to promote economic integration and regional connectivity. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment for regional connectivity and infrastructure projects including TAPI, CASA 1000 and TAP.

Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi thanked the Foreign Minister for dispatching humanitarian assistance and for hosting Afghan refugees for the last four decades. He said that Pakistan may consider expanding its trade with Central Asian Republics through Afghanistan, which would further promote regional peace and security.