News
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Pakistan, Kazakhstan agree on joint efforts against terror* Two sides decide to relax visa regimes for businessmen, launch of joint ventures
* Discuss ways to enhance cooperation between armed forces
ASTANA: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, on Wednesday, agreed to counter common challenges of terrorism and extremism by reinforcing bilateral cooperation to ensure regional stability and prosperity.
The hour-long meeting held at the Akorda Palace encompassed a whole gamut of issues, including the need for evolving collective strategies to promote regional stability, besides enhancing cooperation in the fields of trade, communication and energy.
Prime Minister Gilani, whose visit is being termed as significant for reviving relations with Kazakhstan after 16 years, discussed with President Nazarbayev ways to cement relations by joining hands for region’s development.
The two sides also agreed on facilitating each others’ businessmen by relaxing visa regimes, holding of bilateral business forums and single country exhibitions and launching of joint ventures in the sectors of pharmaceuticals, cement, engineering goods and automobiles.
The two leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and Kazakhstan and the security institutions by establishing a mechanism to exchange information on counter-terrorism and drug trafficking. Pakistan and Kazakhstan agreed to enhance bilateral trade and facilitate their businessmen to promote investment in diverse areas.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani along with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Massimov witnessed the signing of the agreement at the Government House after the two leaders met and also co-chaired the delegation-level talks. Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) President Senator Ghulam Ali inked the document on behalf of Pakistan Government, while Tatyana Zhdanova, Vice President Chamber of Commerce and Industry represented the Kazakh side.
The agreement aims at promoting market research, developing commercial relations and expanding projects between the two countries. It will promote trade and enhance economic and technical cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, Gilani said Pakistan highly valued its relations with Kazakhstan and had the earnest desire to comprehensively upgrade these ties. He said both the countries had the capability and resources to make a significant contribution to peace and development of the region.
He stressed the need for translating the goodwill that existed between the two nations into concrete cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
Gilani said Kazakhstan played a pivotal role in Asia, as it was richly endowed with natural and human resources.
He lauded major economic strides made by Kazakhstan in the last two decades, and added that Pakistan and Kazakhstan needed to jointly tap the full potential of bilateral relationship. On Afghanistan, the prime minister said Pakistan shared an interest to see a peaceful, secure, sovereign, independent and united Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. The prime minister linked the vision of close regional economic integration with international connectivity over land, air and sea, facilitative regimes for promoting investments, trade and cooperation in sectors of energy, industry, agriculture, mines and minerals.
He said Pakistan would be happy to provide overland transit for Kazakhstan for trade through its ports. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk