DUSHANBE, November 21, 2014, Asia-Plus – Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Aslov yesterday met in Islamabad with Mr. Sartaj Aziz, the Adviser to Pakistan’s Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs.
According to the Tajik MFA information department, the sides discussed a broad range of issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan.
Aslov, in particular, noted that Tajikistan attaches significance to cooperation with Pakistan. He reaffirmed Tajikistan’s desire for further intensifying bilateral cooperation in all fields. Noting regular political and parliamentary exchanges, he underlined the importance of closer economic and investment ties. In this regard, he mentioned a large number of areas – including science and technology, agricultural products, industry, hydro power generation, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.
The two reportedly also discussed a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, the source said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the consultations during the meeting covered all aspects of bilateral relations and regional developments.
The Adviser reportedly underlined the importance that Pakistan attaches to fraternal and cooperative ties with Tajikistan. The visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Tajikistan in June 2014 was of special significance in this context, as both sides agreed to comprehensively upgrade bilateral cooperation in diverse fields – including trade, economic cooperation, energy and connectivity.
The Adviser emphasized the importance of high-level political exchanges, enhanced interaction among businessmen, and deeper collaboration in the energy sector. He also highlighted the crucial role of road and air connectivity in giving a spurt to bilateral trade and economic interaction and people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides agreed that bilateral security and defense cooperation was developing satisfactorily, according to Pakistan’s MFA. The two sides also noted the progress on CASA-1000 project and agreed on fast tracking its implementation.
The Tajik MFA information department reports that Aslov yesterday also met with Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan. They two reportedly discussed trade and economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan.
On Thursday November 20, Sirojiddin Aslov also visited the site for construction of a new building for Tajik Embassy in Islamabad.
