Journey of exploration to Latin America

Meeting immediately after arrival in Brasilia, on the first leg of his journey to Latin America, President Pervez Musharraf and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, affirmed their mutual desire to develop close economic, political and diplomatic ties, while overseeing the signing of several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding. Notably, the accords covered a wide field, including exemption from visas for holders of diplomatic passports and co-operation in drug trafficking.
As for the MoUs, they related to technical co-operation in food and nutritional security to fight hunger, consultations on matters of common concern and global issues.
Later, addressing a luncheon reception hosted by President da Silva, President Musharraf pointed to the development of a new relationship between Pakistan and Brazil, extending beyond political understanding and aimed at adding to the momentum in trade and economic co-operation.
Dilating upon the decision to facilitate contacts between businessmen from the two countries, he made specific reference to presence of a number of businessmen in his entourage to help them interact with Brazilian businessmen to promote South-South relationship in a spirit of purposeful co-operation.
Of the prospects of meeting the challenges confronting Pakistan, the President also referred to successes achieved in combating terrorism in the region, besides focusing efforts to improve relations with countries in South Asia, especially through the ongoing dialogue for rapprochement with India.
On his part, Brazilian President da Silva, welcoming President Musharraf, said Brazil intends to boost economic exchanges with Pakistan, thereby adding to the dimensions and dynamism of their markets. Lauding Pakistan's fight against violence and extremism, he observed that the urge for increasing co-operation augurs well for the two countries. As for the future prospects, President da Silva said "the expansion of bilateral trade - which doubled this year - points to the significant potential of this relationship." Notable should also be his summation of President Musharraf's visit as reaffirmation of his resolve for substantial improvement in relations and co-operation between the two countries to serve bilateral interests.
All in all, the President's visit to Brazil can be seen as unfolding of prospects of increasing meaningful and mutually beneficial economic co-operation with the Latin American countries. This should stand substantiated by the similar outcome of his subsequent visits to Argentina and Mexico, both having a great deal in common with Pakistan, while also possessing strong potential for mutually gainful co-operation.
For, in a joint statement, issued after the talks between President Pervez Musharraf and his Argentine President, Nestor Kirchner, they expressed satisfaction on the progress in the relations between the two countries.
Reaffirming their desire to boost bilateral ties, enhance co-operation on issues of mutual interest and promote better understanding, they cited the existence of great possibilities to increase co-operation in the areas of political consultations, economy and trade, culture, sports and science and technology, to their mutual advantage.
Notably, the Argentine President expressed interest in boosting technical co-operation in the development of compressed natural gas (CNG) in the transport sector, offering to share with Pakistan the know-how, while agreeing to increase technical co-operation.
They also laid stress on the advantages of encouraging technical and trade co-operation between the firms dedicated to biotechnology research and production. Moreover, deciding to continue working together for a comprehensive reform of the UN, they recognised that it was crucial to make the Security Council more democratic, representative and effective.
As for the last leg of the President's visit to Latin America, Pakistan and Mexico signed two agreements and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase economic collaboration and political consultations.
Under one of the accords, a Joint Commission on Trade, Investment and Economic Co-operation has been established, with the second providing for visa facilities for holders of diplomatic passports. As for the MoU, it relates to establishment of a consultation mechanism on matters of common interest.
It will also be noted that Mexican President Vicente Fox, welcoming President Musharraf, who was the first ever Pakistani leader to pay an official visit to his country, said Pakistan-Mexico relationship was based on shared objectives of peace and prosperity, united in the conviction that solutions to security and development problems could best be found through peaceful means.
Moreover, Pakistan and Mexico expressed the resolve to explore opportunities for expanding trade and economic co-operation. During his talks with President Musharraf, Mexican President Fox said his country would shortly have an embassy in Islamabad to consolidate bilateral relationship.
Reciprocating his views, and President Musharraf said Pakistan greatly appreciated Mexico's economic progress, technological development and improvement in social sector. He said his visit was aimed at reinforcing political and diplomatic relations, besides enhancing economic ties, pointing out that it fell too short of their potential.
At the banquet, President Musharraf spoke of Pakistan's important strategic position as a gateway to the Central Asia, South Asia, Middle East and the Gulf region. Significantly, at a joint press conference, President Musharraf and President Fox expressed support for embattled UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, over alleged improprieties in the UN's oil-for-food programme for Iraq, while favouring enlargement of the Security Council.
Again, speaking to Mexican and Pakistani entrepreneurs at a breakfast hosted by Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology, President Musharraf referred to the decision of two countries to negotiate a free trade agreement, hoping it would pave the way for booming bilateral trade.
Apprising Mexican investors of the vast potential for mutually beneficial trade, he rightly pointed out that Pakistan could export a wide range of manufactured goods, besides rice, chemicals, leather garments, jewellery, gems and information technology.
To sum up the President's journey of exploration to Latin America should produce positive results encouraging enough for the launch of a world-wide campaign for building strong relationships in the realm of trade and economic co-operation.