Gilani for close Pak-Kyrgyz cooperation on regional stability
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 15 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan’s desire to closely work with Kyrgyzstan for the promotion of regional stability and peace besides strengthening bilateral relations in diverse fields. Prime Minister Gilani addressing a dinner hosted in his honour by Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev, said the increasingly inter-dependent world required benefitting from all regional avenues with special focus on Central Asia. The Prime Minister said being situated on the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia and the Gulf region, Pakistan had a unique geo-strategic and geo-economic significance.
He said Pakistan was ready to consider special facilities for Kyrgyzstan at Pakistani ports, especially Gwadar.
Gilani said Pakistan desires friendly relations with countries in the region based on the fundamental principles of mutual respect for unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.
“We believe in the philosophy of peaceful co-existence,” he added.
He mentioned that Pakistan’s democratic government had transformed its relations with Afghanistan and was constructively engaged with the war-torn country in all spheres.
Gilani sought Kyrgyzstan’s support for Pakistan’s full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The Kyrgyz Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Gilani for visiting his country which he said would benefit for flourishing the relations between the two countries.
Later the two Prime Ministers exchanged traditional cloaks of their respective countries to each other as a gesture of friendship.
The banquet was also attended by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretary Defence Lt Gen (retd) Syed Athar Ali and President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Senator Ghulam Ali, Ambassador Tanvir Akhtar Khaskheli and members of the delegation.