Pakistan and Kazakhstan held talks in Astana on Wednesday to discuss the means to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
The Pakistani delegation was headed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while the Kazakh delegation was led by President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Discussions were held between the two delegations to increase cooperation in the fields of energy, trade, economy, science and technology.
Matters relating to the establishment of strong economic and trade relations were also considered. Both the sides agreed to the creation of a joint ministerial commission to prepare a road map for increased trade and economic cooperation.
In terms of trade, the delegations reviewed issues related to hassle-free visa approval for traders from both countries as well as the establishment of an air link between the two countries.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif held a one-on-one meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in which a wide variety of issues were discussed. Nawaz in his discussions and later statements, emphasised his desire for strong economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and Kazakhstan. Specifically, the premier talked about increasing the volume of trade between the two countries as well as cooperation in the oil and gas sector.
The prime minister was glowing in his tribute to the country of Kazakhstan, affirming the importance that Pakistan attaches to its relations with Kazakhstan. He declared that the two countries were bound by historic and cultural relations, and being a brother Islamic country, it was like his second home.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev also expressed the importance he attached to relations with Pakistan. He lamented that the lack of infrastructure between the two countries was an impediment to improved relations, but appreciated the efforts made by the Pakistani government to bring economic stability and bridge the gap between the countries.