Zardari, Putin discuss bilateral ties at Turkmen forum

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• President urges railroad link with Turkiye to boost trade
• Calls for enhanced focus on regional connectivity, cultural cooperation

ASHGABAT: President Asif Ali Zardari and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a meeting on Friday stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relationship.

The informal interaction took place on the sidelines of a two-day international forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, marking the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguly Faragi, a renowned Turkmen philosopher and poet.

According to a press release issued by President House, both leaders exchanged good wishes.

President Zardari, who arrived in Turkmenistan on Thursday for a two-day visit, also delivered an address at the event. He emphasised the need for stronger regional connectivity and deeper cultural and economic cooperation among neighbouring states.

Pakistan-Turkiye railroad connectivity

In a meeting with the speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Numan Kurtulmus, President Zardari called for improved railroad link between Pakistan and Turkiye to enhance trade and economic cooperation.

President Asif Ali Zardari meets with the speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Numan Kurtulmus, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Oct 11, 2024. — PID

Mr Zardari underscored the importance of further deepening bilateral relations and increasing exchanges between the two nations.

The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Ashgabat forum, was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti.

During the meeting, Mr Zardari praised Turkiye as a sincere friend of Pakistan and a strong voice for the Muslim world, lauding its principled stances on key issues.

Both leaders expressed concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Palestine and Lebanon.

President Zardari said Turkiye was on its way to becoming an economic power and expressed his best wishes for that country’s success and prosperity.

President Zardari also met Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, recalling his previous meetings with the president’s father, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and reaffirming the strong relations between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2024