Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Wednesday said that Pakistan valued its ties with Bosnia and Herzegovina and would welcome joint ventures in the fields of trade, defence, agriculture and textiles.
Addressing a joint press conference following their meeting here at the Institutions Building (Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Parliament), the two leaders expressed commitment for establishment of a Joint Commission to further strengthen their countries’ mutual relations.
The prime minister in a one-on-one meeting with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Chairman of Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) Dr Denis Zvizdic said education and cultural contacts between the two countries could help explore development of linkages between public sector institutions of the two countries.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he had a detailed exchange of views on regional and international matters with the chairman, and added that Pakistan stood committed to its support for the progress and prosperity of people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He said it was a great pleasure visiting the “friends and well-wishers” of the beautiful and historic city of Sarajevo and expressed gratitude to the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina in advancing ties with Pakistan.
He said the high-level visit was part of boosting momentum in bilateral relationship and added the he concluded with chairman “the most productive discussion” that focused on entire spectrum of bilateral relations and further cooperation in trade, investment, defence, culture and education.
The prime minister appreciated existing cooperation between both countries at international fora and at United Nations.
He emphasised the need for greater contacts at government and people-to-people levels and between the two parliaments.
Nawaz Sharif said cooperation in power sector and the energy crisis that Pakistan was facing at present, came under discussion.
He mentioned that Pakistan had large coal reserves in Sindh, while Bosnia had expertise in hydropower which could be shared.
He said infrastructure development mainly construction of motorways and highways being built in both Pakistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina was discussed. He mentioned that Bosnia had a very vibrant production in wood, textile industry and thanked the government of Bosnia for inviting Pakistanis to display their products at an exhibition in their country.
He expressed satisfaction that the two countries had agreed to sign visa abolition of their holders of diplomatic and official passports.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s growth rate had gone up and invited the Bosnian businessmen and trade chambers to take opportunities offered by the country’s business conducive environment.
He invited the chairman of councils of ministers to visit Pakistan, saying ‘Long live the friendship of Pakistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina’.
Dr Zvizdic welcomed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina and termed Pakistan a “sincere friend” of his country.
He thanked Pakistan for extending assistance to Bosnia in a number of sectors and also widely recognizing its position and sovereignity at the international level.
He mentioned that the Pak-Bosnia relations had moved to a new phase in the fields of economy and trade, with increase bilateral trade during last 12 months.
He said the meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif focused on matters of common interest, with areas identified for cooperation particularly in agriculture, textile and defence.
“We would focus on developing relations in these three sectors, which would lead to the overall strengthening of our economic relations,” he said.
Dr Zvizdic said his government was looking forward to receive a Pakistani business delegation to explore the sectors having potential of cooperation in agriculture to display their products at an exhibition scheduled next year.
“The visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will further develop our relations and we see it as confirmation of our longstanding future cooperation,” the chairman council of ministers said.
Nawaz Sharif recalled his earlier visit to Bosnia as opposition leader in the 1990s during the Bosnian war wherein he had extended support to the people of Bosnia.
He also mentioned the visit of Bosnian President Bakir Izetbegovic in October 2012 to Pakistan that led the signing of two memoranda of understanding in defence and commerce sectors.
Later, the two led their respective sides at the delegation-level talks.
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Lt Gen (retd) Salim Nawaz were also present.
PM given formal welcome
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was given a warm welcome on Wednesday as he began his official visit with a formal welcome ceremony held here at the Institutions Building, the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A red carpet was rolled out for the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who arrived at the Institutions Building to meet his Bosnian counterpart, Dr Denis Zvizdic, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister).
Dr Denis Zvizdic received the Prime Minister and the two leaders warmly shook hands and greeted each other.
National anthems of the two countries were played on the occasion.
A contingent of the forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina presented salute to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who also reviewed the guard of honour.
