Pakistan keen to enhance defence cooperation with Belarus: PM Nawaz

Premier says Pakistan keen to develop strong ties with Belarus during meeting held at PM House

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif affirmed on Friday  said that Pakistan is desirous of enhancing its collaboration with Belarus in the field of defence.

"I am pleased with increased exchanges held between the two countries lately," PM Nawaz told President Lukashenko at a meeting held at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.

He added that "I am happy to be standing here with my distinguished visitor from the Republic of Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko who is in Pakistan on the first ever Presidential visit from this beautiful country."



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The Belarusian president arrived on May 26 for a two-day state visit. PM Nawaz welcomed President Lukashenko at the Nur Khan Airbase, and a 21-gun salute was presented as his plane landed. He was due to arrive earlier this week, however, his trip had been delayed due to the death of his mother. On Friday's meeting, the premier offered his condolences to President Lukashenka.

Marking the importance of Belarus to Pakistan, the premier said that "Belarus is an important country and we attach high importance to our bilateral relations with it. We greatly value the visit by the President and his high powered delegation."

Read: President of Belarus arrives in Islamabad on two-day state visit

He emphasised on the need to further increase the frequency of the bilateral visits.

"Pakistan is keen to forge closer ties with Belarus in all fields including trade, economy, defence and culture," the premier said. "Your visit will act as a catalyst in developing strong political and economic relations between the two countries."

"We also agreed to continue our cooperation at international organizations and work for the UN Reform process in a manner that makes the world body more democratic, efficient and effective," the premier added.



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"We also need to encourage increased contact between our parliamentarians as it can build a cordial environment for the people of the two countries," the prime minister urged.

Speaking about the bilateral trade volume, the premier said that it stands at $60 million and needs to be increased substantially.



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“We need to establish close interaction between the respective chambers of commerce and industry to boost bilateral trade and investment,” he said. "There is a great scope for increasing the economic relations in the fields of textile, agricultural equipment, heavy machinery, tyres, pharmaceuticals, dairy products and transport."

Read: Belarusian investors facing harassment

Concluding the address, PM Nawaz said that "I am convinced, that the Pakistan-Belarus Business Forum held the day before yesterday, will benefit the entrepreneurs of both countries. Being an investor friendly country, Pakistan provides excellent environment for foreign investors and I am convinced that Pak-Belarus joint ventures in various sectors are on the horizon."

Due to the friendly relations between Pakistan and Belarus, a resident mission was established by Belarus in Islamabad in November 2014.

The trip marks the first ever visit by a Belarusian president to Pakistan.