Asad Qaiser discusses bilateral ties, cooperation with Sefik Dzaferovic

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser Thursday said Pakistan shared religious, cultural and brotherly affinities with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina and relations between the two countries were manifested by mutual support at times of need.

He met Chairman of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sefik Dzaferovic in Islamabad Thursday and discussed enhancing bilateral engagements and cooperation. Talking to the visiting dignitary, the NA speaker said the political and parliamentary engagements between both the countries would further solidify the relations and open new vistas of mutual cooperation.

Referring to the establishment of Pakistan-Bosnia Parliamentary Friendship Group in National Assembly, the speaker said that bilateral engagement at level of friendship groups would help explore new areas of mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

Asad Qaisar proposed a parliamentary moot in Islamabad to ponder on areas of possible cooperation. He said that Bosnian Mission in Islamabad and Pakistani Mission in Sarajevo could play a crucial role in that regard. It was also agreed to frequent bilateral parliamentary exchanges.

Mentioning the immense economic opportunities created under the umbrella of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the speaker said the project had provided an opportunity for Pakistan to become a logistic and economic hub for South Asia, Central and Western Asia, Middle East and Western China. He said that the new economic opportunities welcome foreign investors to take advantage of immense economic potential in Pakistan. He said Bosnian investors could invest in energy, manufacturing and trade sectors. He remarked that trade between Pakistan and Bosnia did not commensurate the economic activities on both sides, for which measures needed to be initiated.

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sefik Dzaferovic said his country attached importance to its relations with Pakistan since Pakistan was one of the few countries to extend assistance to his country after it came into being and later during the stabilisation process.

He said that his country also strongly desired to cement its bilateral relations with Pakistan. He agreed that the interaction between the parliamentarians would further pave the way for enhancing cooperation in diverse sectors. He said that Bosnia had been subjected to the worst human crisis in the past; however, due to concerted efforts of the consecutive governments and with the cooperation of people, the country had been put on the path to progress.

Sefik Dzaferovic agreed that the trade between Bosnia and Pakistan stood at Euros 4.5 million for which measures needed to be taken to improve the volume of trade and expand cooperation in different fields. He said agreements signed between both the sides during his current visit would soon be materialised and trade and economic cooperation would increase in every field.

He expressed his gratitude to warm hospitality accorded to him during his visit to Islamabad.