Zardari, Putin vow to enhance ties

President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday discussed bilateral and regional matters with several world leaders, including his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Friday on the sidelines of a two-day international forum on 'Interrelation of Times and Civilizations' in the Turkmen capital, the President House said.

Zardari held an informal interaction with Russian President Putin wherein both sides emphasised further strengthening of bilateral relationship. "Both the leaders expressed good wishes for each other," a press release issued by the President House said.

The president arrived in Ashgabat on a two-day visit on Thursday to address the forum on 'Interrelation of Times and Civilizations - Basis for Peace and Development', which was organised to commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of a great Turkmen thinker, poet and philosopher, Magtymguly Faragi.

The forum was also attended by President Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rehmon, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and others.

Addressing the forum, President Zardari stressed the need for an enhanced focus on the promotion of regional connectivity as well as cultural and economic collaboration. He said that his participation in the forum reflected his country's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

Zardari called Faragi a "towering figure" of Turkmen literature and a "beacon of spiritual enlightenment". He added that Faragi and Pakistan's national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal shared several commonalities in their poetry and thoughts on Sufism and nationalism.

He lauded the Turkmen government and the people for organising the event to promote understanding of peace and dialogue among different cultures which also provided him an opportunity to interact with leaders of regional countries to help strengthen mutual friendship.

He said Magtymguly Faragi was not only a poet but also an inspiration and symbol of the Turkmen people's love for their homeland. "His works continue to resonate with us today providing guidance, inspiration and sense of unity," he said.

The president expressed his pleasure over his meetings with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and recalled his several meetings with Gurbanguly Malikgulyyewic Berdimuhamedow, father of the incumbent president.

Later, during a one-on-one meeting with Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov, President Zardari expressed a strong commitment to further enhancing cooperation across all areas, with particular emphasis on trade and connectivity.

During the discussions, both the leaders reviewed the current state of bilateral relations. Zardari extended invitations to both President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the Turkmen National Leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to visit Pakistan at their earliest convenience.

On the sidelines of the forum, Zardari also held a meeting with Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus. During the discussions, he highlighted the need for improved railroad connectivity between Pakistan and Turkiye to boost trade and economic cooperation as well as people-to-people contacts.