PM Nawaz discusses regional situation with Kazakh counterpart

The premier arrived in Astana, Khazakhstan on Tuesday on a two-day official visit to discuss bilateral ties

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday there were great opportunities for trade expansion and investment promotion between Pakistan and Kazakhstan, Radio Pakistan reported.

In his meeting with Kazakhstan Prime Minister Karim Massimov in Astana, the two leaders exchanged views on a range of bilateral issues, as well as the regional situation.

The two countries should strength cooperation in engineering, food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals and highways, said Nawaz.

Massimov said his country wanted to become part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, and it would provide an alternative route for access to sea.

He called for preparations for meeting of governmental commission between the two countries, saying cooperation in transport infrastructure would help promote bilateral trade.

Read: PM Nawaz leaves for Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan wants to cooperate with Pakistan for promotion of regional peace, said the Kazakhstan premier, adding that the two countries had always cooperated with each other at internal forums.

Earlier during the day, he arrived in Astana, Khazakhstan on a two-day official visit to discuss and strengthen bilateral ties.

He was welcomed by Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov on his arrival at the Astana Airport.

During the visit, at the invitation of the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev, a number of agreements and MoUs are expected to be signed between Pakistan and the world’s largest landlocked country.

Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov meets Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on August 25, 2015 in Astana. PHOTO: PID

The premier will be accompanied by a high-level delegation to the Central Asian country that borders both China and Russia and is rich in oil and gas. The Pakistani delegation will also hold meetings with Prime Minister Karim Massimov, a statement from the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan was among the first few countries that recognised and established diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan after its independence in December 1991 following the dismemberment of Soviet Union.

The premier’s visit to Kazakhstan is reflective of his vision to enhance and strengthen Pakistan's relations with Central Asian Republics, the statement said. In May this year, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan to push for gas and electricity deals, respectively.