ISLAMABAD, Dec 15: Pakistan and Indonesia on Monday pledged to expand bilateral ties in all areas and agreed in principle to initiate the consultation process for a preferential tariff agreement that would ultimately pave the way for a free trade arrangement.
This agreement was reached during wide-ranging talks between visiting Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri and President Gen Pervez Musharraf here on Monday.
“They agreed in principle to initiate consultations for a preferential tariff arrangement leading to free trade arrangement as well as to intensify and facilitate private sector collaboration,” an official statement said after the meeting.
While both sides expressed satisfaction “on the excellent political relations” between Pakistan and Indonesia, they recognized the need to enhance their economic and commercial ties. Foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said the two leaders were trying to craft a comprehensive economic partnership.
Bilateral cooperation in other areas, including defence, science and technology and in the banking sector, also came under discussion. The need for enhancing people-to-people contacts, exchange of students and close cooperation in the education sector also figured in the talks.
The discussion covered bilateral, regional and international relations. Situation in South Asia and prospects of regional cooperation were also reviewed. Indonesia expressed support for Pakistan’s membership of Asean regional forum.
The leaders of the two largest Muslim nations also stressed the need to revitalise the Organization of Islamic Conference and advocate enlightened moderation. In this context, they emphasised expeditious follow up on the October Islamic Summit decision to set up a joint commission for restructuring of the OIC.
“Pakistan and Indonesia would also cooperate closely in promoting enlightened moderation at the Islamic and global planes and further intensify their cooperation in combating international terrorism,” the official statement said.
A foreign ministry source told Dawn that a joint statement, agreements on a joint ministerial commission, trade cooperation and combating terrorism were likely to be signed on Tuesday (today). An MoU on countering narcotics was also on the cards, the source said.
According to the official statement, the exchange of views between President Gen Pervez Musharraf and President Soekarnoputri took place in a very friendly and cordial atmosphere, characteristic of close cooperative relations between the two countries.
The president of Indonesia extended an invitation to President Musharraf to visit Jakarta. Mr Musharraf accepted the invitation, saying he would plan a visit on a mutually convenient date.
BANQUET: Speaking at the banquet he held on Monday in honour of the Indonesian president, Gen Musharraf said Pakistan looked forward to joining the Asean regional forum, stating that the country could make a useful contribution on issues of peace and development.
Pakistan wishes to consolidate its excellent relations with the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), he added.
Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali also attended the banquet.
The president said: “We believe that our close and active association with Asean processes would be mutually beneficial.”
President Musharraf drew the attention of the Indonesian leader to the need to build synergies between South East Asia and South Asia to create a win-win situation for the Asian region as a whole.
On the issue of terrorism, he said Pakistan was contributing to the global campaign against international terrorism.
“We are determined to pursue this course in a comprehensive manner by removing its root causes.”
Pakistan, he said, was making efforts to utilize the country’s potential as a commercial hub for Central and South West Asia.
The development of Gwadar deep seaport and the infra-structural links with the vast hinterland, renewal of trade along the ancient silk route and plans for building of pipelines and road networks would go a long way in bringing closer our respective regions, he said.
Pakistan and Indonesia, he said, were united by faith, common heritage and shared values of peace, tolerance and humanity.
In her speech, Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri called for bolstering the trade and industrial cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia for their mutual benefit.
She also saw great scope for bilateral cooperation in the field of education.
Pakistan and Indonesia, she said, had been cooperating at the international forums including the NAM, G-77, and the United Nations.
The two countries, she said, strove for establishing fairness in international trading in this era of globalization and had identical position on various issues in this respect.
She said Pakistan and Indonesia made efforts for cooperation between Saarc and Asean.
“Both Pakistan and Indonesia play an important role in promoting peace in their respective regions,” she said.
She expressed the hope that her visit would further enhance the relationship between the two countries.
Earlier, President Megawati Soekarnoputri was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Aiwan-i-Sadr.
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