DUSHANBE (Tajikistan), July 29 (APP): Pakistan and Tajikistan on Wednesday agreed to initiate a strategic dialogue on regional peace, security and development, besides cooperation in energy sector.President Asif Ali Zardari and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon in their wide-ranging talks held at Qasr-e-Millet - Palace of the Nation, also agreed to establish regional electricity networks and early implementation of the Central Asia South Asia 1000 MW project.

President Zardari who is in the Central Asian Republic on a three-day visit, also had a joint press stakeout along with his Tajik counterpart and termed terrorism and militancy as the biggest threat to the 21^st century.

“We stand together against this threat and have decided to cooperate in other areas as well,” President Zardari said.

He said the two countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in banking and transportation sectors, with the sole intention to bring the two people closer.

President Zardari and President Rahmon also stressed the importance of having greater interaction between the private sectors of the two countries. He said Tajikistan has rich natural resources and the two countries can gain a lot from increased cooperation.

President Zardari said Tajikistan can make a use of Pakistan’s land routes and ports Pakistan, which will bring trade and economic benefit to the nations.

President Zardari and Tajik President also had an exclusive meeting before the delegations of the two sides joined them at the bilateral talks.

During the bilateral talks President Zardari was assisted by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmad Watoo, Spokesman to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar and senior officials.

A joint statement issued at the end of the talks said the two countries will take joint measures to realise full potential of their bilateral trade and economic relations on mutually beneficial projects.

The two countries also agreed on the need of expediting and establishing regional electricity networks. They stressed for early implementation of the CASA 1000 MW project.

“Both sides agreed to undertake further studies and measures needed for its implementation and invited international organizations and financial institutions to contribute funding to the project,” said the joint statement that was signed by the two leaders at a ceremony here after the talks.

The foreign ministers of two countries also signed two bilateral documents including a Protocol on exchange of Instruments of Ratification of Agreement between Pakistan and Tajikistan on the Promotion and Protection of Investments; and an agreement for cooperation - in different areas of bilateral interest - between their ministries of foreign affairs for the years 2009-2012.The Presidents of Pakistan and Tajikistan witnessed the signing of bilateral documents.

Separately the two sides also signed a framework cooperation agreement between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Tajikistan Chamber of Industry for strengthening bilateral cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries.

The Joint Statement said both President Zardari and President Rahmon expressed their desire to further improve brotherly relations and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

The two leaders affirmed that strengthened Pak-Tajik bilateral relations will contribute to regional peace, security and development. The two sides also took into consideration the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the May 2004 Joint Declaration of Pakistan and Tajikistan on further development of friendly relations as well as other bilateral documents.

The two sides agreed that shared cultural affinities and historic experiences, economic complimentarities and geographic proximity have made Tajikistan and Pakistan virtual neighbors.  Better relations were in mutual interest of both countries and region, the joint statement said.

To comprehensively upgrade cooperation in all spheres and fields, the two sides will enter into an enhanced partnership based on the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs.

The two countries agreed to initiate a strategic dialogue on regional peace, security and development, with a view to developing greater understanding on issues of common interest and mutual benefit.

The leaders of Pakistan and Tajikistan agreed to take joint measures to realize the full potential of bilateral trade and economic relations, and undertake mutually beneficial projects in the areas of infrastructure, communications, energy and industry.

The two countries will take appropriate measures to enhance bilateral trade including early implementation of the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA), to which both are parties.

Pakistan and Tajikistan will promote business linkages, and to this end facilitate interaction among their respective corporate sectors through exchange of business delegations and establishment of joint business forums.

The two sides were satisfied at the outcome of 3^rd Pak-Tajik Joint Economic Commission held in Islamabad on July 20-21. The two sides will vigorously pursue agreements and understandings reached at the Commission.

Pakistan and Tajikistan, the joint statement said, will work jointly to explore and establish transit transport corridors linking the two countries, and also take measures to revive direct air links.

The two leaders agreed on the need to expedite establishment of regional electricity networks. The two sides emphasized in particular, early implementation of the CASA-1000 project. To this end, both sides agreed to undertake further studies and measures needed for its implementation, and invited the international organizations and financial institutions to contribute funds for the project.

Pakistan and Tajikistan, the joint statement said, condemn terrorism and extremism in all forms and manifestations and expressed their readiness to cooperate closely, bilaterally and within regional frameworks in combating these twin threats, through among other means, arresting flow of arms and ammunitions and eliminating sources of terror funding.

The two countries were also concerned on the increase of illegal turnover of narcotics drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors and the organized crime. In this regard, the two sides will strengthen bilateral cooperation including by promoting exchange of information among relevant authorities.

Tajik President further appreciated Pakistan for its sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, and expressed full confidence in Pakistan’s ability to effectively deal with this menace.

Pakistan and Tajikistan, the statement said, support the role of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in promoting peace, stability and socio-economic development in the region. “Tajikistan will contribute to Pakistan’s participation in programmes and initiatives within the framework of SCO.”

The two countries extended their support to the government of Afghanistan to achieve peace and solid stability in the country, to improve economic and social conditions and to establish an independent and democratic society that embodies the interests of the people.

They called upon the international community and international financial institutions to channel all assistance directly through the Government of Afghanistan, on projects identified by Afghan authorities.

President Zardari expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality, invited the President of Tajikistan to pay an official visit to Pakistan, who accepted the invitation. The date of visit will be coordinated through the diplomatic channel.

Earlier on his arrival at the Qasr-e-Millat, President Zardari was warmly received by the Tajik President Emomali. A contingent of Tajik army presented guard of honour to President Zardari. National anthems of the two countries were played.

President Zardari also received the Chairman of the Upper House (Majlis-e Milli) Mahmadsaid Ubayduloev and met Prime Minister of Tajikistan Okil Okillov.      

The President is also scheduled to hold trilateral and quadrilateral meetings with the leaders of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and the Russian Federation.