ISLAMABAD, Aug 3 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said Pakistan greatly values friendly and cooperative relations with Turkmenistan, which have deep roots in common faith, cultural affinities and shared traditions.
The President said this while talking to Mrs. Akja Nurberdiyeva, Chairperson of Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan who called on him along-with a delegation at the Aiwan e. Sardar.
Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker National Assembly was also present during the meeting.
The President emphasized close collaboration between parliamentarians, parliamentary committees and parliamentary friendship groups of the two countries. He also called for regular exchanges of cultural and trade delegations to increase people to people contacts and promote understanding between the people of two brotherly countries.
President Mamnoon Hussain noted that bilateral trade between the two countries was far below the potential and needs to be enhanced. He said the two sides need to facilitate business visas and relax visa regime for the promotion of economic relations. The President underlined the need to start air flights between the two countries to facilitate the business persons, tourists and people to people contacts.
The President noted that Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India (TAPI) gas pipeline was a flagship project towards efforts for achieving regional energy security and prosperity.
He said Pakistan was committed to timely completion of the TAPI Gas Pipeline project. The President also welcomed Turkmenistan’s offer for export of 100 MW of electricity to Pakistan.
The President said that with the completion of CPEC and TAPI projects the whole region would achieve prosperity and underlined the importance of regional connectivity to fully benefit from the emerging opportunities.
Chairperson of Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan Mrs. Akja Nurberdiyeva said that her country was keen to forge stronger ties with Pakistan to the benefit of people of both the countries.
She said Turkmenistan was working on laying electricity line along the TAPI Gas Pipeline for providing electricity to regional countries.
