Enhanced trade and transit ties with Kyrgyzstan pledged: Musharraf offers CARs access to Pakistan seaports

President Pervez Musharraf promised greater efforts to strengthen trade and transit ties with landlocked Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday during a two-country Central Asian tour. Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would work to boost infrastructure ties and ensure that Kyrgyzstan benefits from Pakistan''s new port of Gwadar, in which China has been a key investor, Musharraf said. "We need to enhance our trade and commercial ties - this can easily be done through improving the communication linkages between our two countries, through facilitating interaction of the private sector and through easing the visa regimes," Musharraf said after talks with Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev in Kyrgyzstan''s capital Bishkek.
As well as enhancing trade ties Pakistan is also studying whether it could import electricity from this mountainous republic and of providing military training and supplies for Kyrgyzstan, Musharraf said.
"If it is feasible, there is no doubt that we would like to import electricity from Kyrgyzstan," Musharraf said.
President Pervez Musharraf and President Askar Akaev told a press conference after formal talks that both countries would move forward to an era of enhanced relationship, particularly in the sphere of trade and economy.
President Musharraf said his visit would open a new era of stronger and closer relations in political, economic and trade ties. "Our meeting was marked by unanimity of views on bilateral, regional and international issues and a keen mutual desire to consolidate our relationship," he added.
The two leaders stressed need for strengthening their ties by developing communication links, encouraging private sector and easing the visa regime between the two countries.
Musharraf said that Pakistan''s seaports at Karachi and Gwadar would offer Kyrgyzstan trade access to world-wide markets. He said that Pakistan was seeking to purchase electricity from Kyrgyzstan to meet its energy needs due to industrialisation in the country.
He said the two countries would establish a working group to look into the technical and financial aspects for providing electricity to Pakistan.
During the delegation level talks, they discussed the fight against terrorism and need for resolution of disputes of Palestine and Kashmir.
The two leaders also recognised that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan were bound in trade, cultural, historic links, and hoped that this would give more substance to their bilateral relations in all spheres.
The two countries signed three agreements. These included i) an agreement to have a visa-free regime for the holders of diplomatic and official passports, ii) agreement for co-operation between the Ministries of Education of the two countries, iii) and an agreement for co-operation between Associated Press of Pakistan and its Kyrgyz counterpart, the ''Kabar'' news agency. They also stressed the need for revamping of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and Economic Co-operation Organisation (ECO) to make these more vibrant and effective.
President Musharraf in his talks regarding UN reforms said that both countries had agreed to co-operate in the context of making UN a more representative body.
President Askar Akayev supported Pakistan''s vital role in the fight against terrorism and the concept of ''Enlightened Moderation''. He appreciated Pakistan for offering access to its seaports for opening up Central Asian Republics (CARs) to the rest of the world.
He also pointed to the huge economic gains made by Pakistan under President Musharraf and said that he had worked hard to improve the country''s image and stature in the comity of nations, through his "wise policies".
He hoped that through the ports of Gwadar and Karachi, both Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian states would benefit and gain access to world markets.
Later on way back home President General Pervez Musharraf described his visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as successful and said it paved the way for improved economic and trade ties by consolidating the existing political relationship with the Central Asian states.
"I am satisfied with the outcome of the visit as it consolidated our political and diplomatic ties which will bolster our trade and economic co-operation to our mutual benefit," he told accompanying media team onboard President''s aircraft at the end of a four-day visit.
The President said leaders of both the countries have expressed a keen desire to gain trade access to world markets through Pakistani ports of Gwadar and Karachi.
He envisioned a much greater economic co-operation between Pakistan and landlocked Central Asia. Geography makes it natural far them to have transit trade through Pakistan.
The government, he said, is fully conscious of the vital geo-strategic importance of the country.
"We are fully focused on making use of our central location and constructing ports and putting in place a network of infrastructure," he said. During the visit, the President said, he highlighted that Pakistan and Central Asian states are bound in historical, cultural and traditional ties and they must expand their trade relations.
About his visit to Uzbekistan, he said, President Islam Karimov expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan''s efforts against terrorism and now they have a clear understanding of our resolve to fight out the menace.
Pakistan, he said, will not allow anyone to use its territory for terrorist activities against any other country including Uzbekistan.
The President visited the ancient city of Osh, known as the birthplace of great Mughal emperor and founder of Mughal destiny in the subcontinent, Zaheeruddin Babar.
The President went to the Suleman Mountain, where Babar had built a mosque. The President was briefed about the historic mountain, which received great admiration and attention from ancient civilisations.