ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan met with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics here on Saturday and the two leaders exchanged views in detail on the full range of bilateral relations based on shared bonds of faith, history and culture.
The two leaders reaffirmed their determination to comprehensively improve the Pakistan-Uzbekistan partnership across the broad spectrum and continue to take practical steps for the implementation of key projects.
Prime Minister Imran Khan underscored the importance of enhanced trade and economic cooperation, particularly through the implementation of the historic Bilateral Transit Trade Agreement (UPTTA) and the finalization of the Preferential Trade Agreement.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s full support for the Trans-Afghan Railway project and exchanged views on the next steps to move it forward in the coming months.
To further improve connectivity and people-to-people contacts, the Prime Minister stressed the need to boost tourism, take all necessary measures to resume direct flights, strengthen banking ties and facilitate visa procedures.
The two leaders also discussed cooperation in the fields of education and culture and acknowledged progress made in joint research and media ventures, including the joint Baburi legacy film and drama dubbing. Pakistani in Uzbek language.
They also exchanged views on issues of regional peace and stability. Both parties stressed the need for continued economic and humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan by the international community in order to avoid any further deterioration of the situation.
Stressing the need for concrete engagement, the two leaders agreed that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan was vital for regional stability as well as for the realization of infrastructure and connectivity projects.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said the people of Pakistan look forward to welcoming President Mirziyoyev during his visit to Pakistan. Both parties agreed to work closely together to ensure concrete results from the visit.
