Pakistan, Uzbekistan ties strengthening: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said,Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Uzbekistan and the recent high level exchange of visits between the two countries has played significant role in further cementing the ties.The Prime Minister was talking to the ambassador of Uzbekistan Oybek Arif Usmanov who paid farewell call on him at Prime Minister House here.The Prime Minister said he had developed good rapport with the President and the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan during his visit to the country.
 The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the exchanges of delegations at various levels and noted that soon a representative delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) would visit Uzbekistan to explore new avenues of cooperation in trade between the two countries.
 The Prime Minister also noted with satisfaction that working group of the two countries were working on the cooperation for the development of new variety seeds, particularly the cotton seed, the idea of which was floated by him during his visit to Uzbekistan in March this year.
 The Ambassador informed the Prime Minister that the talks between the two countries on energy cooperation are also progressing in positive direction.
He said he would continue working for further cementing the bilateral ties between the two countries in his new assignment as Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan.
 Oybek Arif Usmanov also thanked the Prime Minister for the continued support that the government of Pakistan has rendered in   discharge of his diplomatic assignment since 2006.
 The Prime Minister asked the outgoing Ambassador to convey his best wishes to the President and Prime Minister of Uzbekistan