Excellency, Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan,

 
​​Assalam-o-Alaikum
 
​I am honoured to welcome my brother H.E. Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan.
 
The relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan are deep-rooted and based on a common vision for peace and prosperity in the region. The Foreign Minister’s visit signifies our mutual desire to further strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation between our two countries.
 
In our meetings today, we discussed a range of issues, covering our bilateral agenda as well as regional and global developments. We were pleased to note the positive direction of Pakistan-Turkmenistan relations.
 
At the Third Round of Bilateral Political Consultations, co-chaired by Foreign Minister Meredov and myself, we undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral relations in all dimensions.
 
Our two countries will enhance high-level dialogue and exchanges at the leadership level. I conveyed to my brother that Pakistan is eagerly awaiting the visit of His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the National Leader of Turkmenistan, to Pakistan. His Excellency Berdimuhamedov’s visit will further advance and foster friendly ties between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.
 
We have agreed to intensify our joint efforts to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation including political, economic, defence domains.
 
We have especially deliberated upon ways to develop closer economic engagement in the priority areas of trade and investment, energy, connectivity and information technology.
 
I have invited the Foreign Minister’s attention to Pakistan’s investment climate and special role of SIFC in facilitating foreign investors to invest in different sectors. We look forward to welcome Turkmen companies to benefit from the promising investment climate of Pakistan.
 
 
Pakistan’s seaports offer the business communities of our two countries to explore win-win opportunities. We welcome businesses and enterprises in Turkmenistan to avail the Gwadar and Karachi seaports for trade connectivity with the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
 
 
In our meeting today, we also reviewed progress on the TAPI Gas Pipeline project and TAP Electricity Transmission Line Project. Both these projects offer enormous opportunities for our region.
 
We have also reiterated our commitment to enhance the volume of bilateral trade and to make it commensurate with its true potential and existing ties between the two countries. We will work together on trade diversification, early finalization of Transit Trade Agreement and instituting a liberal visa policy to facilitate greater contacts between businessmen of the two countries.
 
We have also decided to promote bilateral parliamentary interaction and enhance cultural exchanges, educational scholarships and people-to-people contacts.
 
Pakistan values the constructive cooperation with Turkmenistan in the framework of international and regional organizations. We will enhance cooperation and dialogue in multilateral settings including at the United Nations and Economic Cooperation Organization.
 
In our discussions today on the regional and global developments, I briefed my brother on the dismal situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. A durable peace in South Asia remains contingent upon the peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and as per the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
 
Excellency, I thank you for the message of friendship and brotherhood that you have brought with you. We wish you a fruitful and productive stay in Pakistan.
 
 
Thank You.