‘CPEC could be gateway to central Asian region’

ISLAMABAD: China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could be a gateway to Central Asian Region, if it is provided with the opportunity to partner in the project.

These views were expressed by the ambassadors of the Central Asian Countries while speaking at the seminar here on “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Opportunities for Central Asian Republics (CARs)” organised by Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Preston University.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Barlybay Sadykov said the prospects of the development in the CPEC were tremendous and this project provides ample opportunities for the entire region.

He said Kazakhstan supported the Belt and Road initiative and now was eager to join the CPEC and connectivity projects.

“With ample assistance and information about several projects and opportunities within CPEC, all the regional countries would be able to benefit and strengthen the overall concept of the entire corridor,” he added.

Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan Erik Beishembiev also talked about the potential of Kyrgyzstan being an important country in the Belt and Road initiative of China.

He highlighted various connectivity projects that were initiated and are currently underway. All such projects can play an important role in furthering the connectivity within the CPEC projects, he added.

Erik Beishembiev also talked about the opportunities that Kyrgyzstan has to offer to Pakistan.

Ambassador of Republic of Tajikistan Sherali Jononov said the connectivity with CPEC is rather significance in regard with regional peace and stability.

He also emphasized the need for Pakistani students and public to learn more about the countries of the Central Asian region to improve the ties between the states of the region and Pakistan.

He said world recognize the sacrifices that Pakistan has made to promote peace and stability for the entire region.

Referring to the recent summit of peace and stability in Afghanistan, organized by Uzbekistan to promote the regional consensus, ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Furkat Sidikov said Uzbekistan has a huge potential as regional torch bearer of peace and stability.

Uzbekistan is also interested in CPEC as it will be providing the country and its booming economy an easy access towards the largest market through sea in few days time which was earlier not possible, he added.

Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov, also the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps along with Farhat Asif, President, Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Dr. A.W Baloch, Registrar Preston University presented shields to the participants.

Large number of the students, faculty members, representatives of think-tanks and media attended the seminar.