Pakistan can play central role in regional peace: Uzbek FM

ISLAMABAD: Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov on Thursday said Pakistan was a regional power which could play a central role in guaranteeing regional peace and stability.

“We have common views on regional security, especially peace and stability in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan gives immense importance to bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the realm of security,” he said during a joint news conference along his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Islamabad.

Both the sides have expressed the resolve to further enhance bilateral cooperation to promote peace and stability in the region.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said both countries shared common views on Afghanistan as they felt that there was no military solution to the Afghan problem. “We are prepared to facilitate and support the dialogue process in Afghanistan.”

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He said he had discussed with the Uzbek side rail-road corridor, which would enhance the connectivity in the region.

The FM said there were great opportunities to promote bilateral trade between the two countries.

Abdulaziz Kamilov said we discussed ways and means to enhance cooperation in trade, transport, communication, and other sectors.

“We also talked about strengthening cooperation in the areas of tourism, people to people exchanges and cultural and humanitarian ties between the two countries,” he said.

The Uzbek foreign minister invited Shah Mehmood Qureshi to visit Uzbekistan as soon as possible and thanked him for according warm hospitality to him and his delegation.