Uzbekistan on Wednesday, supporting Pakistan's Middle East peace initiative, called for greater collaboration between the Muslim countries to resolve their disputes and bring peace to region and the world at large.
The support came during Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's meeting with President Islam Karimov here at the Presidential Palace where the two leaders discussed in detail the issues confronting the Muslim Ummah, measures afoot to reform the Organisation of Islamic Conference and to propagate inter-faith harmony.
The over two and a half hour long broad-based meeting also covered all aspects of the Pakistan-Uzbekistan bilateral relations, regional and international situation, including the Iranian nuclear issue, Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine issues.
The prime minister apprised President Karimov of President Pervez Musharraf's visit to various Muslim countries where he discussed with their leaders the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and the need for urgent corrective measures to address the lingering issues. The two leaders also pointed that Islam was a religion of peace, moderation and harmony and there was a need to project its true perspective.
President Karimov and the Prime Minister also discussed ways to enhance trade and economic ties between the two countries. They agreed that peace and stability in Afghanistan was vital for regional peace, trade and economic uplift of the people.
Prime Minister Aziz apprised him of Pakistan's desire to include Uzbekistan in the transport arrangement it already has with China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan through the Karakoram Highway, besides offering it facilities at the Gwadar and Karachi ports.
He also informed him of Pakistan's economic turnaround and the vigorous reform agenda that was being pursued by the government. He said the two countries could explore new avenues of cooperation in investment, banking and finance sectors.
They also discussed ways to strengthen the Economic Cooperation Organisation by making it more proactive and vibrant and to meet the challenges the region was facing.
Comments
Comments are closed.