Energy, communication and defence: Pakistan, Kazakhstan agree to execute joint projects

Pakistan and Kazakhstan on Saturday agreed to execute joint projects in the fields of defence, energy and communication to widen the bilateral cooperation. The agreement was reached during a meeting between President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Bakytzhan Sagintayev who arrived at President's residence for one-on-one meeting here.
The president was here to attend the first summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Science and Technology being hosted by Kazakh government from September 10-11. The president, who was accompanied by Ambassador of Pakistan in Kazakhstan Abdul Salik Khan, thanked Kazakh government for warm welcome and hospitality. He emphasised that the bilateral ties should be developed into the multiple partnership besides calling for enhancing the bilateral trade and relaxation of visa policy.
The president thanked Kazakh government for taking a just stance on the issue of the membership of the nuclear suppliers group. Besides underscoring the need for enhancing the defence ties, the president also offered that Pakistan could assist in imparting skills to Kazakh people. He said that Pakistan desired enhancing bilateral engagements in the fields of oil and gas and Pakistani firms could invest in the said sectors of Kazakhstan.
He also called for establishing the air and road links between the two countries to enhance the trade volume. President Mamnoon said there was a need for quadrilateral framework for regional economic stability comprising Pakistan, China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. He said this year; both the countries were celebrating 25 years of the bilateral ties when they would explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
President Mamnoon also suggested the exchange of delegations between the two countries in the fields of industry, trade, culture and education which was accepted by the Kazakh prime minister. He also proposed the enhanced bilateral cooperation in banking, infrastructure, construction, food processing, energy, science and technology.
In his remarks, the Kazakh prime minister said after its inclusion in Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a member, Pakistan's ties in the region would improve. He also thanked Pakistan for supporting Kazakhstan for non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.