President calls for boosting cooperation with Turkmenistan

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasised the importance of enhancing economic cooperation and business-to-business relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan for the mutual benefit of both countries. He also urged for stronger linkages between the stock exchanges of the two brotherly nations to improve economic collaboration.

The president expressed these views during a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, who, along with the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan, Atadjan Movlamov, called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.

Welcoming the delegation, President Zardari said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its ties with Turkmenistan, which are founded on common values, religion, and culture.

He called for collaborative efforts to achieve shared prosperity and stability in the region for the betterment of the people of both countries.

The president also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the early completion of the TAPI Gas Pipeline project, adding that this initiative would significantly contribute to the economic development of both nations. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov thanked the president for his participation in the International Forum celebrating the 300th birth anniversary of Magtymguli Faragi in Ashgabat, calling it a significant gesture of respect for the Turkmen people.

He also conveyed the special greetings of Turkmenistan’s President, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and the National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, to President Zardari. President Zardari expressed his gratitude to Deputy Chairman Rashid Meredov for his participation in the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Governments of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, held in Islamabad. The president also thanked the government of Turkmenistan for the warm hospitality extended to him during his visit to Ashgabat.