ASHKABAD: Pakistan and Turkmenistan have resolved to make earnest efforts for early implementation of the Tapi (Turkmenis­tan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline plan, terming it a game changer and a win-win situation for all stakeholders.

“We stressed the need for fast-tracking progress on trans- regional energy projects, including Tapi, to advance the goal of greater regional integration,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said while addressing a joint press stakeout along with the President of Turk­menis­tan, Gurbanguly Berdimuha­medov, here on Wednesday.

The two leaders, who earlier held one-to-one and delegation-level talks, said that during the wide-ranging consultations on a whole range of bilateral relations, they had discussed measures to counter the challenges they faced and to exploit the opportunities available to them.

Mr Sharif said Pakistan and Turkmenistan enjoyed excellent bilateral relations in all fields based on mutual respect, common faith and shared interests. “Our relations are marked by cordiality and commonality of views on major regional and international issues,” he added.

He said the two countries had commonalities of views on a broad range of issues, including peace and stability, counter-terrorism, menace of drugs, trade and economic cooperation, investments and regional cooperation.

Mr Sharif said his country wanted to further enhance relations with Turkmenistan in all spheres. “We agreed on the need for regular high-level political exchanges between Pakistan and Turkmenistan,” he added.

Sharif holds talks with Berdimuhamedov

The prime minister said the two sides also agreed to promote bilateral trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts. “It is in the interest of our two countries to make full use of endowed reservoir of human and material resources, including through improving infrastructure, building road and rail links, and enhancing energy collaboration,” he added.

He expressed the confidence that the signing of memoranda of understanding would help further strengthen bilateral relations. Mr Sharif said he and President Berdimuhamedov had convergent views on the importance of cooperation between Pakistan and Turkmenistan at multilateral forums, especially the UN, G-77, NAM, OIC and ECO.

He said the two sides had also exchanged views on reform of the UN Security Council, stressing that it should be equitable and reflect aspirations of the entire UN membership. “It should particularly take into account the interests of smaller states.”

The prime minister said he had extended felicitations on the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s Declaration of Neutrality and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unflinching support to Turkmenistan for the visionary initiative of declaring permanent neutrality.

“I informed the Turkmen president that Pakistan’s top priority is growth and development to ensure prosperity to our people. To this end, we want peaceful relations with all our neighbours,” he added.

He said Pakistan would continue to provide assistance to Turkmenistan in human resource development, particularly in the fields of diplomacy, banking, etc.

AGREEMENT, MOU: Pakistan and Turkmenistan signed an agreement and a memorandum of understanding on increasing trade and economic cooperation.

The signing ceremony, held at the Presidential Palace, was witnessed by Mr Sharif and President Berdimuhamedov.

The agreement on Joint Inter-Governmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was signed by the prime ministerial Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and his Turkmen counterpart.

The MoU between the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and the Turkmenistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed by Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir and the TCCI chief.

Later a joint communiqué was signed by Prime Minister Sharif and the Turkmen president.

Earlier, the prime minister was accorded warm welcome on his arrival at the Presidential Palace. He was received by President Berdimuhamedov.

Mr Sharif is on a two-day official visit to Turkmenistan.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2015

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