Diplomatic ties: ‘Uzbekistan can share its experiences of development’
Furkat A Sidikov shares plans to improve ties between the two countries
Ambassador Sidikov in Lahore. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE:
The cultural and linguistic similarities between Uzbekistan and Pakistan are strong enough to bring the two countries closer together, His Excellency Furkat A Sidikov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, said in an interview with The Express Tribune.
The ambassador had visited several cities in the country as part of his country’s agenda to strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan. His visit to Lahore took him to some of the city’s most famous landmarks. He also met with various stakeholders and members of the chamber of commerce. “This was my first visit to Lahore…I was very impressed with the people of this amazing city,” he said.
Sidikov was appointed ambassador to Pakistan last year. “I feel at home in Pakistan…because our cultures are so similar.”
Before stopping by in Lahore, the ambassador had met with political and business influentials in Sialkot. “There I met people with the names Bokhari, Trimizi, Amir, Zafar and Muzaffar. People in my country have the same names.” He recalled that most of the people he had met knew about the historic cities of Samarkand Bokhara. “These are some of the reasons why I feel relations between our countries already have a strong foundation to build on.”
The ambassador stressed on the need to promote economic ties. He said the two countries shared a good political relationship. “We have the same views on several regional matters of concern.” Sidikov met Governor Rafiq Rajwana in Lahore and they discussed the need to create a direct business relationship between private enterprises in the two countries. He suggested that the two countries take their chambers of commerce on board to organise trade shows and exhibitions. “We have asked trade bodies for their suggestions on how to take this plan forward.” He said the idea was to take everyone on board and make them major stakeholders in the exercise to develop strong bilateral ties. “We want to facilitate trade bodies and provide them a platform to engage with each other.”
He discussed plans for starting direct flights between the two countries and easing the process to obtain a visa. “We plan to offer better services and prices for tourists planning to visit Europe or the USA. Our airlines fly to 52 countries from the Tashkent Airport. Uzbek Air has upgraded its fleet and has brand new aircraft. We have also improved the transit area to facilitate passengers using the airport as a stopover arrangement.”
However, the ambassador felt that more people-to-people contacr was necessary to improve relations between the two countries. Exchange of delegations, especially cultural exchanges would go a long way, he said.
Urdu could bring the people of both countries closer, Sidikov suggested. The two national languages have 7,000 words in common. Islamabad has a centre for Uzbek language at the National University of Foreign Languages, Islamabad, he said. Similarly, the Oriental University of Tashkent has a large Urdu language department. “Our linguists have a good understanding of Urdu. In fact, it took me only a few months to pick up Urdu.”
The ambassador discussed ways in which cultural and economic exchanges could improve ties between the two countries. He said Uzbekistan economy had relied heavily on the agriculture sector, especially its cotton exports, at the time of independence. The agriculture sector was, now almost entirely mechanised. “Uzbekistan is eager to share its post-independence experiences of development with Pakistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2016.
The cultural and linguistic similarities between Uzbekistan and Pakistan are strong enough to bring the two countries closer together, His Excellency Furkat A Sidikov, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, said in an interview with The Express Tribune.
The ambassador had visited several cities in the country as part of his country’s agenda to strengthen bilateral ties with Pakistan. His visit to Lahore took him to some of the city’s most famous landmarks. He also met with various stakeholders and members of the chamber of commerce. “This was my first visit to Lahore…I was very impressed with the people of this amazing city,” he said.
Sidikov was appointed ambassador to Pakistan last year. “I feel at home in Pakistan…because our cultures are so similar.”
Before stopping by in Lahore, the ambassador had met with political and business influentials in Sialkot. “There I met people with the names Bokhari, Trimizi, Amir, Zafar and Muzaffar. People in my country have the same names.” He recalled that most of the people he had met knew about the historic cities of Samarkand Bokhara. “These are some of the reasons why I feel relations between our countries already have a strong foundation to build on.”
The ambassador stressed on the need to promote economic ties. He said the two countries shared a good political relationship. “We have the same views on several regional matters of concern.” Sidikov met Governor Rafiq Rajwana in Lahore and they discussed the need to create a direct business relationship between private enterprises in the two countries. He suggested that the two countries take their chambers of commerce on board to organise trade shows and exhibitions. “We have asked trade bodies for their suggestions on how to take this plan forward.” He said the idea was to take everyone on board and make them major stakeholders in the exercise to develop strong bilateral ties. “We want to facilitate trade bodies and provide them a platform to engage with each other.”
He discussed plans for starting direct flights between the two countries and easing the process to obtain a visa. “We plan to offer better services and prices for tourists planning to visit Europe or the USA. Our airlines fly to 52 countries from the Tashkent Airport. Uzbek Air has upgraded its fleet and has brand new aircraft. We have also improved the transit area to facilitate passengers using the airport as a stopover arrangement.”
However, the ambassador felt that more people-to-people contacr was necessary to improve relations between the two countries. Exchange of delegations, especially cultural exchanges would go a long way, he said.
Urdu could bring the people of both countries closer, Sidikov suggested. The two national languages have 7,000 words in common. Islamabad has a centre for Uzbek language at the National University of Foreign Languages, Islamabad, he said. Similarly, the Oriental University of Tashkent has a large Urdu language department. “Our linguists have a good understanding of Urdu. In fact, it took me only a few months to pick up Urdu.”
The ambassador discussed ways in which cultural and economic exchanges could improve ties between the two countries. He said Uzbekistan economy had relied heavily on the agriculture sector, especially its cotton exports, at the time of independence. The agriculture sector was, now almost entirely mechanised. “Uzbekistan is eager to share its post-independence experiences of development with Pakistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2016.