Bilateral Consultations under the Cooperation Programme between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and Tajikistan

Bilateral consultations between Pakistan and Tajikistan were held today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. Mr. Nizomiddin Zohidi Shamsiddinzoda, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs. Delegation level talks were held with Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, Special Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador of Tajikistan was also present during the meeting.

The Special Secretary highlighted the importance Pakistan attaches to fraternal relations with Tajikistan. He stressed that there exists a great potential to further enhance existing trade volume. It is encouraging to note that political relations, defence and security cooperation and economic cooperation between the two countries are improving day by day.

The two sides agreed that all efforts should be made to achieve the target of US $ 500 million for bilateral trade as decided by the leadership of the two countries during the visit of the Prime Minister to Tajikistan in June 2014.

The meeting also covered wide range of other topics including connectivity via rail and road, direct flights, Trilateral Transit Trade Agreement, energy cooperation including CASA-1000 Power Import Project, cooperation against international terrorism and extremism and security cooperation between the two sides, and regional and international issues. It was agreed to hold regular consultations. Next consultations would take place in Dushanbe in 2016.

The Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister also called Minister of Commerce and Minister of State of Water and Power and discussed issues of mutual interest.

Islamabad
04 May 2015

147/2015