ISLAMABAD: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Saturday said that under its Central Asia Vision, Pakistan desired a durable and result-oriented relationship with the states in the region.
The foreign minister, in a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov, said being an important country in Central Asia, Turkmenistan was a country of special importance for Pakistan.
The Turkmen foreign minister is in the federal capital to attend the 17th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Afghanistan set to take place on Sunday being hosted by Pakistan.
Both sides discussed the bilateral relations as well as the regional situation.
Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked Rashid Meredov on his arrival to attend the extraordinary moot and called for joint efforts to enhance bilateral trade through mutual exchanges.
Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment for early completion of the TAPI project, the foreign minister said through Karachi and Gwadar ports, Pakistan would connect Turkmenistan with the Middle East and Africa for trade connectivity.
He said Pakistan also looked forward to hosting the 48th meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in March next year and that hosting of the two consecutive OIC moots manifested Pakistan’s serious approach.
The foreign minister emphasized the OIC’s role to deal with islamophobia, peace and security and disputes resolution.
Calling for urgent measures to deal with Afghanistan situation, he said any consequent crisis would impact not only the neighboring countries but the whole world.
Regarding Kashmir, he said being a representative body of 57 Muslim nations, OIC could play a key role in the resolution of the dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions.
The foreign minister of Turkmenistan thanked Foreign Minister Qureshi for warm reception and hospitality.
