Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan from May 20-22, 2015 to review the whole range of bilateral relations, including TAPI Gas pipeline project and energy, security, economy and trade.
According to Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah, the Prime Minister's entourage will include Cabinet members and senior officials.
While welcoming the visit of the Prime Minister to Ashgabat, he said that the government of Turkmenistan has underlined the significance of this visit for the promotion of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. A few MoUs/Agreements are also expected to be signed during the visit, he added.
During the visit, he said that the Prime Minister will hold tête-à-tête with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov of Turkmenistan that would be followed by delegation-level talks.
He said that main focus of the meeting would be to review the whole range of bilateral relations, including TAPI Gas pipeline project and energy security, economy, trade and commerce, education, defence, science and technology, culture and regional as well as global issues of mutual concern.
The President of Turkmenistan will host a banquet dinner on 20 May 2015. During the visit the Prime Minister will also participate in a tree plantation ceremony, he added.
On 21 May 2015, the Prime Minister will visit Bishkek where he will hold meeting with the Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev.
He said that during the delegation-level talks the two sides will discuss issues of mutual co-operation in various fields, which would be followed by signing of a few MoUs and agreements. A dinner will be hosted in honour of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, he added.
"Pakistan greatly values close, friendly and historical relations with the Central Asian Republics and is keen to further strengthen these ties with them in all fields especially energy security and connectivity", the spokesperson said, adding Pakistan's relations with Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan have seen growth and dynamism in recent years.
He said that consistent efforts are underway to give a central thrust to the trade, economic and investment dimensions. He said that the co-operation among Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan is important for energy security and stability in the region to enable gas and oil pipelines, electricity transmission, air and road connectivity and trade.
According to the spokesperson, the visit of the Prime Minister to Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan will provide an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral co-operation in diverse fields. The visit would take this process forward, advancing the shared goals of peace, stability and development in the region, he added.