Pakistan, Uzbekistan resolve for early finalisation of Strategic Partnership Agreement
Wednesday, November 08, 2023
The Prime Minister will reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to ECO Vision 2025 at the summit.
He meets with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Prime Minister Kakar and Mirziyoyev discuss bilateral relations at the meeting.
TASHKENT: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday landed in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on a two-day visit to attend the 16th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit.
The Prime Minister and his delegation consisting of Interim Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Interim Trade Minister Gohar Ejaz were warmly welcomed by his Uzbek counterpart Abdulla Nigmatovich Aripov at the Tashkent airport.
At the summit, the Prime Minister will reaffirm Pakistan's commitment to ECO Vision 2025 and promoting regional cooperation in the areas of trade, transport, connectivity, energy, tourism and economic growth and productivity.
After his arrival, Prime Minister Kakar held bilateral talks with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The two leaders reiterated their determination to finalize the strategic partnership agreement as soon as possible to promote regional economic integration.
Bilateral relations were discussed in a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Kakar and Mirziyoyev.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar held a bilateral meeting with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on the sidelines of the 16th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) being held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 8-9 November… pic.twitter.com/OSuEthd9YH
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) November 8, 2023
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to play an active role for regional connectivity. The leaders exchanged views on deepening bilateral cooperation in a number of areas including political, trade, economic, security, defense and connectivity.
Kakar expressed satisfaction with the increasing level of bilateral cooperation and stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum. He highlighted that the recent operationalization of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) would boost bilateral trade and transit trade in addition to simplifying the Economic Cooperation Organization Trade Agreement (ECOTA).
The two sides then reaffirmed their commitment to the early completion of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project.
PM Kakar and President Mirziyoyev also discussed the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and other regional and global developments.
The ECO Summit will take place from 8 to 9 November 2023.
In addition to attending the summit, the prime minister will also engage in bilateral talks with the leadership of Uzbekistan and other participating leaders.
This is the first time Prime Minister Kakar is attending the ECO summit after assuming the office of Prime Minister.
Prior to this, the Prime Minister attended the 78th session of the UN General Assembly and meetings at various other UN-related forums in September.
