Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to improve bilateral cooperation
Both sides call for taking advantage of opportunities available for improving investment, trade, and energy.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif meets Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz at PM House, Islamabad on February 17, 2014. PHOTO: PID
Despite missing out on coveted defence contracts amid $183 million worth of bilateral agreements, Pakistan and the high-powered Saudi Arabian delegation called for taking advantage of the investment, trade, energy, infrastructure development, agriculture sectors for the mutual benefit of the two countries, says a joint statement issued by the foreign office (FO) on Monday.
The Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz, who is also the deputy premier and minister of defence, concluded his three day trip to Pakistan on Monday.
According to the FO statement, the two sides called for taking advantage of the opportunities available in the two brotherly countries for expanding and improving investment, trade, energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and exchange of government’s delegations for mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.
They also decided to continue to work on further fortifying existing political relations between the two countries through regular holding of bilateral consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. The two sides also agreed on the need to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of defense.
MoUs
The two sides acknowledged the importance of completing necessary measures for signing of the agreements and MoUs in different fields including Islamic affairs and endowments, labour, manpower, sports and an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investment in the two countries.
The two sides signed agreements under which the latter will provide a total of around US $183 million for the import of urea fertiliser from Saudi Arabia and the construction of a hydro-power project in Chitral.
The signing ceremony held at the PM House and was witnessed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
Vice Chairman, Managing Director Saudi Development Fund, Yousef Bin Ibrahim Al-Bassam and Secretary Economic Affairs Nargis Sethi signed the agreements on behalf of their respective sides.
Under the first agreement, Saudi Arabia will provide a credit facility of US $125 million for the import of Urea fertiliser from Saudi Arabia.
Whereas under the second agreement, Saudi Arabia will provide an additional loan of $57.8 million for the construction of a 106MW Golen Gol hydro-power project at River Mastuj in Chitral.
Syrian people
The two sides reiterated the need for finding of a quick solution of the existing conflict in Syria according to Geneva I Resolution in order to restore peace and security in Syria and prevent bloodshed of the brotherly Syrian people.
In this regard both sides called for the following:
- Importance of immediate withdrawal of all foreign armed forces and elements from Syrian territory.
- Lifting siege of the Syrian towns and villages and stopping aerial and artillery bombardment.
- The setting up of safe corridors and regions to deliver food and humanitarian aid to besieged Syrian citizens, under international supervision.
- The formation of transitional governing body with full executive powers enabling it to take charge of the affairs of the country.
Palestine issue
On the Palestinian issue, the two sides reaffirmed their consistent stand to support the Palestinian right to arrive at a just solution which leads to establishment of Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital.
The two sides reiterated the need for stopping Israeli practices including continuation of building settlements and putting impediments to peace efforts.
The two sides emphasised that the peace efforts should be based on Arab peace initiatives and the relevant UN resolutions.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to fight extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and continue to cooperate in the field of exchange of security related information.
They also emphasised the importance of security cooperation to combat the crimes of drug trafficking and money laundering.
Kashmir dispute
The Saudi side expressed hope for reaching peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions so that it contributes to the achievement of a permanent peace and stability in the region.
The Saudi side welcomed the positive developments in Indo-Pakistan relations, which would reflect positively in the interest of the two neighbouring countries and stability in the South Asian region.
Afghan situation
On the situation in Afghanistan, the two sides expressed their support for Afghan reconciliation by including all sides and components of the Afghan society to arrive at restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
They underlined support for the political process through holding the elections scheduled for April 2014.
The Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the warm reception and hospitality he and the accompanying delegation received.
The royal guest and the delegation accompanying him were given a warm reception by President Mamnoon Hussain and the prime minister.
The Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz, who is also the deputy premier and minister of defence, concluded his three day trip to Pakistan on Monday.
According to the FO statement, the two sides called for taking advantage of the opportunities available in the two brotherly countries for expanding and improving investment, trade, energy, infrastructure development, agriculture and exchange of government’s delegations for mutual benefit of the two brotherly countries.
They also decided to continue to work on further fortifying existing political relations between the two countries through regular holding of bilateral consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. The two sides also agreed on the need to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of defense.
MoUs
The two sides acknowledged the importance of completing necessary measures for signing of the agreements and MoUs in different fields including Islamic affairs and endowments, labour, manpower, sports and an agreement to encourage and protect mutual investment in the two countries.
The two sides signed agreements under which the latter will provide a total of around US $183 million for the import of urea fertiliser from Saudi Arabia and the construction of a hydro-power project in Chitral.
The signing ceremony held at the PM House and was witnessed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud.
Vice Chairman, Managing Director Saudi Development Fund, Yousef Bin Ibrahim Al-Bassam and Secretary Economic Affairs Nargis Sethi signed the agreements on behalf of their respective sides.
Under the first agreement, Saudi Arabia will provide a credit facility of US $125 million for the import of Urea fertiliser from Saudi Arabia.
Whereas under the second agreement, Saudi Arabia will provide an additional loan of $57.8 million for the construction of a 106MW Golen Gol hydro-power project at River Mastuj in Chitral.
Syrian people
The two sides reiterated the need for finding of a quick solution of the existing conflict in Syria according to Geneva I Resolution in order to restore peace and security in Syria and prevent bloodshed of the brotherly Syrian people.
In this regard both sides called for the following:
- Importance of immediate withdrawal of all foreign armed forces and elements from Syrian territory.
- Lifting siege of the Syrian towns and villages and stopping aerial and artillery bombardment.
- The setting up of safe corridors and regions to deliver food and humanitarian aid to besieged Syrian citizens, under international supervision.
- The formation of transitional governing body with full executive powers enabling it to take charge of the affairs of the country.
Palestine issue
On the Palestinian issue, the two sides reaffirmed their consistent stand to support the Palestinian right to arrive at a just solution which leads to establishment of Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital.
The two sides reiterated the need for stopping Israeli practices including continuation of building settlements and putting impediments to peace efforts.
The two sides emphasised that the peace efforts should be based on Arab peace initiatives and the relevant UN resolutions.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to fight extremism and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and continue to cooperate in the field of exchange of security related information.
They also emphasised the importance of security cooperation to combat the crimes of drug trafficking and money laundering.
Kashmir dispute
The Saudi side expressed hope for reaching peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions so that it contributes to the achievement of a permanent peace and stability in the region.
The Saudi side welcomed the positive developments in Indo-Pakistan relations, which would reflect positively in the interest of the two neighbouring countries and stability in the South Asian region.
Afghan situation
On the situation in Afghanistan, the two sides expressed their support for Afghan reconciliation by including all sides and components of the Afghan society to arrive at restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
They underlined support for the political process through holding the elections scheduled for April 2014.
The Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the warm reception and hospitality he and the accompanying delegation received.
The royal guest and the delegation accompanying him were given a warm reception by President Mamnoon Hussain and the prime minister.