Ashgabat trip: Pakistan pursuing enhanced regional connectivity, says PM

Nawaz joins regional leaders today at groundbreaking of TAPI gas pipeline

ASHGABAT:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is pursuing a policy of strong cooperation with regional countries, especially with next-door neighbours, for prosperity and enhanced connectivity.

“Pakistan wants friendly ties with all countries on an equal basis for mutual peace and prosperity. It desires enhanced dialogue for this purpose,” he said while speaking at a conference in Turkmenistan’s capital, where he arrived on a two-day visit on Saturday.

The international conference on ‘Policy of Neutrality: International Cooperation for Peace, Security and Development’ was held in connection with the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s policy of permanent neutrality.

Dignitaries, including presidents of Turkey, Belarus, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Georgia and Uzbekistan as well as foreign ministers from regional, South Asian and the Gulf states participated in the event.

The prime minister lauded Turkmenistan’s policy of neutrality and urged other countries to have respect for others’ beliefs and cultures, which, he said, is a vital component of neutrality.



He said Pakistan has a firm belief that shared prosperity is real prosperity. Describing regional integration and connectivity as the key pillar of his policy, Premier Nawaz cited projects like CASA-1000, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and road projects with Afghanistan. “These projects are manifestation of our policy to enhance regional connectivity.”

He said the International Road Transports conventions and World Trade Organisation would also help in promoting trade in the landlocked region.

Earlier, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov welcomed the dignitaries and said his country’s policy of neutrality was beneficial for the whole region as well as the whole world.

Berdimuhamedov highlighted the far-reaching effects of this policy which, he said, helped in disarmament and elimination of weapons of mass destruction.

He also referred to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline project as a major energy conduit in the region as part of his country’s ‘grand efforts’ to share abundant natural resources with regional countries.

Tapi is a proposed gas pipeline that will transport Caspian Sea natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and then onwards to India.

Construction on the project is scheduled to start on December 13 (today). Through this project, Pakistan will be able to import 1,325 mmcfd gas and ease its own energy deficit. Prime Minister Nawaz will also participate in the ground breaking ceremony along with the presidents of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Indian leadership.

Nawaz meets with Turkish president

Premier Nawaz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also held a meeting at the fringes of the conference where they discussed bilateral matters and resolved to further cement the ties between their two countries.

They also discussed regional and security issues in the context of the Afghan peace process and conflict in Syria. They expressed satisfaction over bilateral cooperation.

“Pakistan rendered great sacrifices in the war against terrorism. The government, the whole nation and the armed forces of Pakistan are united to eliminate this menace,” Nawaz said.

He also thanked Turkey for extending cooperation in capacity building of Pakistan’s police. President Erdogan said they felt immense pleasure over the recent progress and prosperity of Pakistan. “The people of Turkey keep the people of Pakistan very close,” he said.


Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2015.