Gilani in Tashkent to strengthen bilateral ties

During the visit, Pakistan and Uzbekistan will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on renewal of cultural programmes.

TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani arrived Thursday on a two-day visit to the Uzbek Republic to discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties and regional situation.

A red carpet was rolled out and flags of Pakistan andUzbekistan fluttered atop the airport building as Prime Minister Gilani alighted from special aircraft, on his first visit to the largest of the five Central Asian Republics.

He was received at the Tashkent International Airport by Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister for Privatization Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Minister for Food and Agriculture Israrullah Zehri.

Gilani's visit to the doubly land locked Central Asian State, neighbouring Afghanistan assumes more significance as the US begins the transition to Afghan-led security in Afghanistan, with troop reductions starting in July to be completed by the end of 2014.

Gilani recently visited  Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and is likely to visit remaining Central Asian states soon, as part of present government's vision to reach out to the Central Asian Republics.

During Gilani's visit, Pakistan and Uzbekistan will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of animal husbandry and veterinary sciences and the renewal of cultural programmes.

The two governments will also ratify an agreement on exchange of instrument on transport and transit of goods.

Pakistan believes that peace and stability in Afghanistan was the decisive factor for attaining security and ensuing sustainable development in Central Asia and majority of the issues threatening regional security were linked with the situation in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister would be meeting the Uzbek leadership and discuss ways and means to further explore cooperation in various areas.

Pakistan would be seeking cooperation with Uzbekistan to help meet its growing energy requirements. Uzbekistan is already providing electricity to Afghanistan and earlier indicated its willingness to share its expertise in construction of hydel projects.