Pakistan and Argentina on Wednesday expressed mutual resolve to begin new era of strong political and economic relationship through increased trade, as President General Pervez Musharraf and his counterpart Nestor Kirchener explored areas of common interest. "We already enjoy good political relations and agreed in today's meeting to take our relationship to a new level through increase in trade and commercial links," President Musharraf said in his statement after talks with Argentinean leader at the President House.
Both the leaders found consonance on major regional and international issues. The president reiterated Pakistan's position that it is against creation of more centres of privilege and power through expansion of UN Security Council as it is against the principle of sovereign equality of the nations.
"We are for a holistic approach to reform the United Nations to make it a potent world body," he said.
Both the leaders, who also attended the signing ceremony of agreements between both the countries, reaffirmed the resolve to share their views at international fora.
Kirchener said the agreement would lead to greater consultations between both the countries on major regional and international issues.
He expressed the hope that President Musharraf's visit would lead to a new chapter of relations between both the countries.
He said that an agreement already in place between both the countries on enhancing trade and economic ties would bolster a mutually beneficial cooperation for the well-being of the people of both the countries.
The Argentinean leader thanked Pakistan for extending support to Buenos Aires on major international issues.
The foreign ministers of both the countries also signed an agreement on visa waiver for diplomatic passport holders. The two presidents were present at the signing ceremony.
Earlier, the president was accorded a warm reception on his arrival at the Argentinean President House.
President Musharraf expressed the hope that Argentinean business leaders will attend Expo 2005 exhibition in Pakistan and assured his firm commitment to facilitate private sectors of both the countries towards taking trade ties to new heights.
In his statement, President Musharraf said both the countries will invigorate efforts to boost economic ties and make up for the lost time as both nations benefit from this.
The Pakistani leader is on the first-ever bilateral visit to the fast-improving economy of Latin America. He also hinted at the possibility of bilateral cooperation in the area of satellite communication.
Reciprocating the president's views, the Argentinean leader described his meeting with Musharraf as excellent and said, "We are convinced that we have laid down solid foundations to develop closer relations - we have the will to search imaginatively the ways to promote cooperation in various fields, including science and technology."
He said that under the framework of enhancing trade and economic ties, the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) would meet to provide impetus to bilateral cooperation. Nestor Kirchener said he and President Musharraf also agreed to spur interaction in the fields of sports and culture. He expressed the hope that both the nations will overcome geographic hurdles to forge closer ties.
"We will develop great links on the basis of equality and mutual respect." Kirchener said Argentina being a member of the regional trade bloc - MERCOSUR - would provide Pakistan a base for expanding trade links. Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Raza Hayat Hiraj and members of the Parliament were also present on the occasion.
Later, addressing the leading Argentine investors and members of its chamber of commerce and industry, President General Pervez Musharraf said the private sectors of Pakistan and Argentina will serve as a driving force for rapid growth in trade and economic relations between the two countries.
"It is the private sector which is the engine of growth - while our two governments are in perfect agreement over enhancing trade ties, it is the entrepreneurs that will now propel the relationship to new scales," Musharraf said.
Referring to his talks with Argentine President Nestor Kiurchner, the President said they have a firm resolve to facilitate the private sector to develop mutually beneficial bonds.
"We have strong political and diplomatic relationship and now the onus is on businessmen to avail of the existing opportunities to further cement this bond to the mutual benefit of both nations."
He said Pakistan will encourage the establishment of a Joint Business Council and identified textiles, leather products, sports goods, agro based products as areas where the two countries can have far greater trade in a short period of time.
He also invited the Argentine businessmen to attend the Expo-2003 exhibition in Pakistan.
The President informed the Argentine businessmen about Pakistan's upbeat economic scenario, saying the positive macro economic indicators, rapidly improving law and order, a favourable investment regime and Pakistan's pivotal geographic location make it an attractive destination for investors world-wide.
He informed the business community that the government is firm in its determination to weed out the menace of extremism and maintain peace and harmony in the country.
"I assure you that there is peace and stability in Pakistan - we will finish the last traces of terrorism from the country."
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