Foreign Minister of Tajikistan meets the Adviser

The Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, Mr. Sirodjidin Aslov, met with the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs today. The consultations during the meeting covered all aspects of bilateral relations and regional developments.

The Adviser underlined the importance that Pakistan attaches to fraternal and cooperative ties with Tajikistan. The visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Tajikistan in June 2014 was of special significance in this context, as both sides agreed to comprehensively upgrade bilateral cooperation in diverse fields – including trade, economic cooperation, energy and connectivity.

The Adviser emphasized the importance of high-level political exchanges, enhanced interaction among businessmen, and deeper collaboration in the energy sector. He also highlighted the crucial role of road and air connectivity in giving a spurt to bilateral trade and economic interaction and people-to-people exchanges.

Foreign Minister Sirodjidin Aslov reaffirmed Tajikistan’s desire for further intensifying bilateral cooperation in all fields, terming Pakistan as a key partner in the region. Noting regular political and parliamentary exchanges, he underlined the importance of closer economic and investment ties. In this regard, he mentioned a large number of areas – including science and technology, agricultural products, industry, hydro power generation, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

The two sides agreed that bilateral security and defence cooperation was developing satisfactorily. The two sides also noted the progress on CASA-1000 project and agreed on fast tracking its implementation.

The Foreign Minister of Tajikistan is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of the Adviser. The visit is part of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. Such exchanges are also an important component of Pakistan’s engagement with Central Asia.

Relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan are marked by cordiality and close cooperation. The two countries share similar views on major regional and international issues and collaborate closely in multilateral fora including UN, OIC, ECO, and SCO.

Islamabad
20 November, 2014

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