The Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, H.E. Dr. Vladimir Norov, who is paying an official visit to Pakistan, met with Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi today.

Foreign Minister Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s keen desire to diversify and strengthen its bilateral ties with Uzbekistan. The Foreign Minister noted that there was immense mutual political goodwill existing in the two countries. Nevertheless, bilateral economic relations had lagged behind. The present bilateral two-way trade hovering around $40 million was far too negligible given the available potential between the two countries. The Foreign Minister said that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would open up new economic and trade vistas for our two countries as well.

Foreign Minister Norov renewed his country’s offer to supply 1000 MW of electricity to Pakistan through Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that the proposal was being examined by Pakistan to assess its viability.

The Foreign Ministers agreed to convene the Pakistan – Uzbekistan Joint Economic Commission in Islamabad this year. The Commission had last met in Tashkent in 2009. It was also agreed to hold Bilateral Annual Consultations in pursuance of the bilateral MOU signed on 26 June 1996.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Uzbekistan was an important Central Asian country and had a significant role to play in promoting regional peace and stability, as well as augmenting intra-regional cooperation within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Foreign Minister Norov acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s contributions towards rooting out the scourge of terrorism. He said violent extremism was our common enemy and that Pakistan would continue to have full support of Uzbekistan in its counterterrorism endeavours.

The Uzbek Foreign Minister expressed the hope that Pakistan, which was presently an observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, would become full member of the Organization once rules and criteria for expanding the membership were finalized.

The Foreign Ministers noted that the momentum generated in establishing and developing bilateral relations following the independence of Uzbekistan had to be revived through increased bilateral contacts, especially promoting people-to-people contacts, institutional linkages and single-country exhibitions.

Ambassador Uybek Arif Usmanov of Uzbekistan in Islamabad also attended the meeting.

Foreign Minister Norov will call on the President and the Prime Minister on 01 April 2010.

 

Islamabad

30 March 2010