Pakistan looks to strengthen ties with Kazakhstan, says Gilani

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan and Kazakhstan have enjoyed a frictionless relationship and there is tremendous scope to expanding their ties.
During a courtesy call, the PM discussed mutual relations with Kazakhstan Ambassador Aidar Jundyayeb at the Prime Minister’s House. He expressed the desire to strengthen political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries. He stressed the priority to relations with Central Asian Republics and Kazakhstan in particular.
The current government has seen several high-level visits between the two, including President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Astana to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in June 2011. Talking about his planned visit to Kazakhstan, Gilani said a bilateral visit was coming after a long time and would be important to enhance economic, commercial and cultural cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Aidar said he aimed at building multifaceted relations with Pakistan. He said he appreciated ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. “Pakistan is our main partner in South Asia,” he said. He said Gilani’s visit would present an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations.
Turkey ambassador: Elsewhere, the PM lauded the contribution of Turkey and Ambassador Soysal, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for assistance to Pakistan, to earthquake and flood relief efforts in Pakistan.
Gilani expressed his appreciation to Ambassador Rauf Engin Soysal when Soysal paid a farewell call on Gilani before taking up a position as Turkey’s Ambassador to the Council of Europe.
Gilani conveyed his gratitude for the visit of the UN Secretary General and the President of Turkey Erdogan to Pakistan after the 2010 floods. He said the Turkish leadership efforts for relief and rehabilitation of flood-affectees were commendable. “Turkey is a special friend of Pakistan. We feel extremely close to our friends and brothers in Turkey”, the Prime Minister said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Ambassador Soysal said that he considered Pakistan his own country and the leadership of Pakistan his own leadership. He said the Turkish people have tremendous respect for Pakistan and its people. He said the confidence reposed in him by the people and the Government of Pakistan had made his stay in Pakistan extremely fruitful and result-oriented.