ASTANA: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed the desire to establish trade and energy corridors with Central Asia Republics.
He expressed the desire during a meeting with his Kazakhstan Counterpart Karim Massimov in Astana on Tuesday.
He said Pakistani ports provide the shortest route to sea for Central Asia.
He said Pakistan offers Kazakhstan the shortest access to the sea and most of the Central Asian Republics have shown keen interest in using Pakistan’s sea ports for their exports.
The prime minister called for further strengthening of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Kazakhstan in diverse areas, particularly trade, energy and infrastructure.
He said a large scope exists for trade in textile and cotton products, pharmaceuticals, food items, engineering equipment and machinery and construction enterprises.
About cooperation at international forum, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan supports Kazakhstan’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2017-2018.
The Prime Minister appreciated Kazakhstan’s support for Pakistan in acquiring full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
About relations with neighbours, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan wants to have good relations with all its neighbours, including India.
About Afghanistan, he said, Pakistan and Kazakhstan had a common interest in a peaceful, stable and united Afghanistan.
The two countries also supported an inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process.
The Prime Minister said stability in Afghanistan would bring prosperity and enhance cooperation in the entire region.
Talking about terrorism, the Prime Minister said the comprehensive and all-out law enforcement action “Zarb-e-Azb” against all terrorist groups without distinction had yielded positive results.
Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov thanked Pakistan for supporting his country at all international forum.
He said there existed huge room for cooperation in the areas of trade and investment between the two countries.
Karim Massimov said Kazakhstan would like to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project as it would provide an alternative route to it for access to sea.
