Pakistan to strengthen bilateral relations with Russia, Uzbekistan

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperaton Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State meeting in Qingda, China.

The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest including bilateral, contemporary regional and global issues. Both agreed that relations have strengthened, and identified trade, energy, security, culture, education and people-to-people contact as avenues for enhanced future cooperation.

The leaders agreed that the bilateral trade between the two nations has tremendous potential. They also agreed to work together to further enhance economic ties and increase the trade volume.

Pakistan to enhance bilateral relations with Uzbekistan

President Mamnoon Hussain also met President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and expressed commitment to enhance bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest.

President Mamnoon thanked his Uzbek counterpart for extending support for Pakistan’s membership and assimilation in SCO. He praised the lead role of Uzbekistan in SCO’s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to complement RATS efforts for regional peace and security.

The Pakistani president surveyed historical bilateral cultural relations spanned over centuries and emphasized the need to enhance people to people’s contacts.

He offered Uzbekistan to fully utilise Pakistan’s connectivity potential, and added that the resumption of Uzbek Airways direct flights between Lahore and Tashkent would contribute towards enhanced two-way tourism and people-to-people contact.

He further reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to an Afghan-led peace process and establishment of enduring peace in that war-torn country.

The two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation across all areas of mutual interest particularly in the fields of energy, agriculture, education, infrastructure and transportation.

They also examined the prospects of cooperation in areas of trade and economy, investment, culture, education and science & technology.