BISHKEK – Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said Pakistan desires multi-faceted and vibrant ties with Kyrgyzstan for the progress and prosperity of two countries. In a meeting with Kyrgyz President Roza Otenbayeva at her presidential office – White House, the two leaders discussed a whole gamut of issues including bilateral trade, energy and infrastructure and Afghanistan situation, regional and global issues.
PM Gilani outlined Pakistan’s desire to improve bilateral trade with Kyrgyzstan for the benefit of the two nations that also share a commonality of culture and traditions. President Otenbayeva said the two countries would begin a new era of bilateral relations through cooperation in diverse fields. She said Kyrgyzstan was mounting efforts for improvement of communication, transportation and road links with Pakistan for access to international markets via the Gwadar port.
She lauded Pakistan’s peace efforts in Afghanistan and its support for the reconstruction of war-ravaged country. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretary Defence Lt Gen (retd) Syed Athar Ali and President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries Senator Ghulam Ali, Ambassador Tanvir Akhtar Khaskheli and Schon Group’s Khizar Schon were present during the meeting.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani also met Ahmatbek Keldibekov, Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh of the Kyrgyz National Parliament. He said close interaction between the parliaments of Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would give new impetus to their relationship in diverse fields. Kyrgyz National Assembly Speaker said the potential of expansion in ties was still immense, which needed to be fully explored.
Later, the prime minister also met a delegation of Kyrgyz businessmen and investors. He invited the Kyrgyz businessmen to invest in Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure areas. Meanhile, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev also called on PM Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here on Wednesday and discussed issues of mutual and bilateral interest. In a meeting held at the Ala Archa State Residence, the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister conveyed to Gilani his government’s desire to enhance the level of relations with Pakistan at all levels.
The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Gilani over Pakistan’s offer to train Kyrgyz diplomats at the Foreign Service Academy. Later, Gilani left here for Islamabad on Wednesday at the end of a two-day official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic. The Prime Minister was sent off by Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev at the Manas International Airport.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Tanvir Akhtar Khaskheli and other senior government officials were also present.
