Pakistan, Kazakhstan agree to execute joint energy, communication, defence projects

ASTANA, (Kazakhstan), Sep 9 (APP): Pakistan and
Kazakhstan Saturday agreed to execute joint projects in the
fields of defence production, energy and communication to
widen the bilateral cooperation.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan
Bakytzhan Sagintayev who arrived at Beijing Palace Hotel where
the President was staying for the bilateral meeting.
The president was here to attend the first summit of the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Science and Technology
being hosted by Kazakh government from September 10-11.
The president, who was accompanied by Ambassador of
Pakistan in Kazakhstan Abdul Salik Khan, thanked Kazakh
government for the warm welcome and hospitality.
He emphasized that the bilateral ties should be
developed into the multifaceted partnership besides calling
for enhancing the bilateral trade and relaxation of visa
policy.
The president thanked Kazakh government for opting a
just stance on the issue of the membership of the nuclear
suppliers group.
Besides underscoring the need for enhancing the defence
ties, the president also offered that Pakistan could assist in
imparting skills to Kazakh people.
He said Pakistan desired enhancing bilateral
engagements in the fields of oil and gas and Pakistani firms
could invest in the said sectors of Kazakhstan.
He also called for establishing the air and road links
between the two countries to enhance the trade volume.
President Mamnoon said there was a need for
quadrilateral framework for regional economic stability
comprising Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
He said this year, both the countries were celebrating
25 years of the bilateral ties where they would explore new
avenues for bilateral cooperation.
President Mamnoon also suggested the exchange of
delegations between the two countries in the fields of
industry, trade, culture and education which was accepted by
the Kazakh prime minister.
He also proposed the enhanced bilateral cooperation in
banking, infrastructure, construction, food processing,
energy, science and technology.
In his remarks, the Kazakh prime minister said after its
inclusion in Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a member,
Pakistan’s ties in the region would improve.
He also thanked Pakistan for supporting Kazakhstan for
non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
He apprised the president that Kazakhstan desired
extending cooperation to Pakistan in the fields of minerals,
mining, transport and communications.
The Kazakh premier said Kazakhstan also desired to be
part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and also proposed
interaction among the experts from both the sides.