3rd Round of Pakistan-Canada Bilateral Consultations-27th May 2015 at Islamabad

The Third Round of Pakistan-Canada Bilateral Consultations was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. The Pakistan delegation was led by Additional Secretary (Americas), Mr. Burhanul Islam. The Canadian side was led by Ms. Susan Gregson, Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Canada. The Consultations covered entire range of bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest.

In the meeting today, both sides underscored the importance they attach to building a broad-based relationship marked by multifaceted cooperation in different fields. Discussing ways and means to expand bilateral cooperation, the talks focused on exchange of high level visits, exchange of parliamentary delegations, strengthening of economic relations, including proposals to enhance trade and investments links and energy cooperation between the two countries. Measures to deepen cooperation in the fields of economy, security and defence, education, banking, science & technology, information technology and culture and media, were also discussed. The two sides reviewed the status of existing MoUs and agreements and also shared draft MoUs on cultural cooperation and cooperation in the field of Science and Technology.

In this endeavor, the two sides agreed to work towards reinforcing cooperation in mutually agreed areas through intensified bilateral interaction at the senior officials levels.

The two sides also shared their perspective on various regional and international issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to promote peace and stability in the region.

It was agreed that the next Round of Bilateral Consultations will be held in Ottawa on mutually agreed dates.

Islamabad
27th May, 2015

196/2015