Pakistan, Belarus agree on closer ties in trade, defence, education

MoUs, agreements inked to boost trade, commerce and linkages in education, culture
MINSK (Belarus): The leaders of Pakistan and Belarus Monday agreed on forging closer ties in areas of trade, economic, defence, education and cultural cooperation as they inked another set of agreements in a short span of over two months.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, who is here in the picturesque capital of the Eastern European country on a three-day official visit, held exclusive talks and a round of delegation level talks.
The prime minister’s delegation includes Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer, Minister for National Food Security Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastagir and Special Assistant to the PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi.
Referring to President Alexander Lukashenko’s visit to Islamabad, the prime minister said it significantly contributed towards the strengthening of bilateral ties.
He said Pakistan was keen to forge closer ties with Belarus in all fields, including trade, economic, defence, and culture.
“There was great scope for increasing economic relations in the fields of textile, heavy vehicles, agricultural equipment, heavy machinery, pharmaceuticals and dairy products,” he added.
During the talks held at the presidential palace, both the sides noted that they shared commonality of views on various regional and international issues.
Diplomatic sources said exchanges between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Lukashenko took place in an extremely warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere.
The two leaders resolved to build on this foundation to inject greater substance and meaning to their cooperation.
They particularly identified cooperation in enhanced trade and economic
cooperation in textiles, engineering, culture, tourism and defence production.
In brief comments to the media, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi said the Belarusian president applauded the prime minister’s strong and consistent endeavour to promote a peaceful neighbourhood in South Asia.
He said peace in South Asia would enable the entire region to make tangible progress in fields of economic growth and development.
He said the Treaty of Friendship signed by the two leaders represented their common resolve to enhance and strengthen their bilateral relations.
Alexander Lukashenko recalling the meeting in Islamabad said both the sides had agreed that the visit would be saturated with economic events and would result in the creation of a solid legal base for the two countries.
“It has happened. We intend to sign a score of documents as a result of the talks,” the Belarusian president said.
Alexander Lukashenko was appreciative of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and said, “Our respect for you in Belarus is limitless. You are the politician that can be an example for any politician in the world, including me. Your life is a fight to reach the goals you set for your team, your party, and your colleagues. Anyone can envy your political life. You are the recognized leader of the people of Pakistan and we welcome you in Belarus in a fitting manner.”
The two sides also agreed on the need to follow up on the memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed so as to ensure enhanced interaction and strengthening of relations.
Meanwhile, the two countries inked a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen their multifaceted ties particularly in areas of trade, commerce, education and culture.
The two leaders witnessed the signing. It was the second round of agreements signed between the two countries, the first being done in May at Islamabad, where 20 documents were signed.
The earlier agreements dealt with cooperation in economic areas, military and technical cooperation, interaction in science and technology, information and telecommunications, while Lukashenko and Nawaz Sharif had also signed Islamabad declaration of Belarus-Pakistan partnership. The signing began with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Alexander Lukashanko inking a Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus.
The other document inked was Memorandum of Cooperation for Translation and Publication of Classical Literary Works of Pakistan and Belarus. It was signed by Pervaiz Rashid and Minister of Information of Belarus Mrs. Lilia Ananich.
The MoU for cooperation in the field of literature was inked by Pervaiz Rashid and Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences Vladimir Gusakov.
The MoU for Scientific and Educational Cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences Belarus and Comsats Institute of Technology was signed by Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain and Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences Vladimir Gusakov.
Another MoU in the field of Standardization and Information Support was inked by Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain and Chairman of the State Committee for Standardization Victor Nazarenko.
The Protocol on first meeting of the Belarus-Pakistan Joint Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation was inked by Engr Khurram Dastagir and V M Vovk Minister of Industry.
The Agreement on Training in Field of Geology was inked by Syed Tariq Fatemi and Minister of Natural Resources Andrei Kovhuto.
The MoU between the Foreign Service Academy, Islamabad and Belarusian State University Minsk was inked by Syed Tariq Fatemi and Rector Belarusian State University Sergey Ablameyko.
The MoU between the Foreign Service Academy Islamabad and Academy of Public Administration Minsk was inked by Syed Tariq Fatemi and Rector of Academy Marat Zhylinkski
The agreement on establishment of sister city relation between Minsk and Islamabad was inked by Chairman CDA Maroof Afzal and Chairman of Minsk City Anrei Shorets.
The MoU between Ministry of Forest of Belarus and Department of Forestry Pakistan was inked by Secretary Forestry Jahanzeb Khan and Minister of Forestry Mikhail Amelyanovich
The MoU between the National University of Modern Languages and Minsk State Linguistic University was inked by Rector Dr Syed Muhammad Junaid Zaide and his counterpart Natalia Baranova.
The MoU between Belarusian State University and Comsats Institute of Information Technology was inked by Rector Dr Muhammad Junaid Zaide and counterpart Prof Mikhail Batura.