ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan on two day official visit from May 20-22.
The Prime Minister’s entourage will include Cabinet members and senior officials. While welcoming the visit of the Prime Minister to Ashgabat, the Government of Turkmenistan has underlined the significance of this visit for the promotion of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. A few MoUs/Agreements are also expected to be signed during the visit.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will hold tête-à-tête with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan that would be followed by delegation-level talks. The main focus of the meeting would be to review the whole range of bilateral relations, including TAPI Gas pipeline project and energy security, economy, trade and commerce, education, defence, science and technology, culture and regional as well as global issues of mutual concern. The President of Turkmenistan will host a banquet dinner on 20 May 2015. During the visit the Prime Minister will also participate in a tree plantation ceremony.
On 21 May 2015, the Prime Minister will visit Bishkek. The Prime Minister will hold meeting with the Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev. During the delegation-level talks the two sides will discuss issues of mutual cooperation in various fields. A banquet dinner will be hosted in honour of the Prime Minister of Pakistan. A few MoUs and agreements are likely to be signed during the visit.
Pakistan greatly values close, friendly and historical relations with the Central Asian Republics and is keen to further strengthen these ties with them in all fields especially energy security and connectivity. Pakistan’s relations with Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan have seen growth and dynamism in recent years. Consistent efforts are underway to give a central thrust to the trade, economic and investment dimensions. The cooperation among Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan is important for energy security and stability in the region to enable gas and oil pipelines, electricity transmission, air and road connectivity and trade.
The visit of the Prime Minister to Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan will provide an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields. The visit would take this process forward, advancing the shared goals of peace, stability and development in the region.
