ISLAMABAD, Dec 14 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon on Wednesday expressed satisfaction on the steady growth and momentum of the bilateral relations and agreed to enhance the same towards strategic cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their peoples.
A joint communique on the official visit of the Tajikistan President’s visit to Pakistan, said the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the existing fraternal ties between the two countries which were based on a shared history, culture, geographical contiguity, and common faith.
The two leaders agreed that the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which will further enhance bilateral cooperation, should be finalized at the earliest and be signed during the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Dushanbe next year.
They also exchanged felicitations on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
The two countries enjoyed excellent bilateral cooperation at the multilateral forums, including the UN, SCO, OIC, ECO and CICA. It was agreed to further boost multilateral cooperation for global and regional peace, stability and sustainable development.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan supported the nomination of the Republic of Tajikistan as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2028-2029 and appreciated Tajikistan’s support for Pakistan’s candidature to the same body for the term 2025-26.
He highly appreciated the efforts of the President of Tajikistan as one of the founders of the SCO and expressed support for his initiative to establish the SCO Anti-Drug Center in Dushanbe.
The prime minister underlined the importance of engagement with Tajikistan under Pakistan’s “Vision Central Asia” policy which was based on the five pillars of bilateral cooperation i.e. political, trade & investment, energy & connectivity, security & defence, and people-to-people contacts.
Both sides welcomed Pakistan’s initiative to hold Regional Connectivity Summit early next year.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s support to Tajikistan for its membership in Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA).
Noting efforts of the Central Asian states aimed at establishing an atmosphere of good neighbourliness, trust and friendship in the region, the prime minister welcomed holding of the fifth anniversary of the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia in the Republic of Tajikistan on September 14-15, 2023.
Satisfaction was expressed on the existing inter-parliamentary cooperation and it was agreed to have regular visits of parliamentary delegations to forge fruitful and further enhanced bilateral ties.
The two sides agreed to enhance bilateral economic ties by exploring new avenues, opportunities and ventures.
In this regard, both sides held discussions on the early establishment of road, rail and air connectivity between the two countries through active consultations at the expert level in relevant fields.
The two leaders also noted with satisfaction the progress made through the Joint Working Groups (JWGs), which were constituted earlier to boost bilateral cooperation in multifaceted fields, particularly trade, investment, transport, energy, culture and tourism.
The two sides agreed to convene meetings of these JWGs regularly to follow up on the exchanges.
They expressed readiness to hold the 7th Session of Pakistan-Tajikistan Joint Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific Technical Cooperation in Islamabad, at an early date.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the existing cooperation within the framework of this agreement and re-affirmed the commitment to regularly hold its meetings to further strengthen economic ties.
The two leaders further resolved to substantially enhance bilateral trade which is currently not commensurate with the level of political relations.
The two leaders reaffirmed the early finalization of the flagship power project CASA-1000.
They agreed that completion of the project would open new avenues for future energy corridors, leading to prosperity for the whole region.
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