Pakistan and Egypt on Saturday agreed on increasing co-operation in trade, investment, agriculture and bilateral political ties with a vow to bringing the people of the two countries closer in all spheres.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who is representing Pakistan at the World Economic Forum on Middle East here, held separate meetings with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Prime Minister Ahmed Nazef on further strengthening bilateral co-operation. President Mubarak and Prime Minister Aziz, in their meeting, said there was a need to intensify multifaceted relationship Between Pakistan and Egypt in diverse fields.
The over 45-minute meeting covered wide-ranging issues, the situation in the Middle East, Iranian nuclear issue, Iraq, Afghanistan and Kashmir.
Trade and investment were seen as vital areas in which there was wide scope, particularly among the private sectors of the two countries.
Earlier, Shaukat Aziz and Ahmed Nazef vowed that the two countries would stand together to play a leading role in helping the Ummah meet the numerous challenges it was facing.
They said there was an urgent need for greater unity and co-operation among the Muslim countries. The two prime ministers resolved to project a true image of Islam, which shuns violence and advocates peace, tolerance and flexibility.
They also spoke of greater interaction amongst the Muslim states and increased trade and business activities to forge closer ties aimed at bringing about an economic turnaround in the lives of the ordinary people.
The prime ministers also discussed the situation in the region, international issues and the need for resolution of lingering disputes.
The Egyptian Prime Minister appreciated Pakistan's progress on the economic front and said his country has a lot to learn from the structural reforms.
Pakistan evinced keen interest in the progress made by Egypt in agriculture sector and said its experience can help Pakistan a lot.
President Hosni Mubarak hosted a luncheon in honour of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Begum Rukhsana Aziz, President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Arab League Secretary General.