Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan agree on reviving four-nation trade pact
By Shumaila Andleeb
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 15 (APP): Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday agreed on reviving the four-country transit trade pact and making it effective in a bid to strengthen regional economic cooperation. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and his Kyrgyz counterpart Almazbek Atambaev at a joint stake-out following a round of formal talks, agreed to remove obstacles for smooth and effective functioning of ‘Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement’ (QTTA) signed between Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in 2004.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan would also host a meeting of experts from the four member countries. He said he discussed with his Kyrgyz counterpart ways to exploit the potential of cooperation in trade, infrastructure and communication.
The two prime ministers termed their comprehensive dialogue encompassing a wide range of issues as “opening of a new chapter in bilateral relations”.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan desired to see bilateral cooperation with Kyrgyzstan flourishing in all spheres, by institutionalizing consultations between the two Foreign Ministries and exchange of parliamentary delegations on regular intervals.
He said the tremendous potential in bilateral trade and commerce remained largely untapped for which the two sides agreed to set up a Joint Business Council for enhanced interaction between their Chambers of Commerce and Industries.
He said connectivity remained an important element in enhancing trade and people-to-people interaction and stressed for the establishment of direct air links with Kyrgyzstan.
Gilani said Pakistan was pursuing regional stability, peace and prosperity and called upon the Kyrgyz government for jointly working on these shared objectives.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev said the signing of Joint Declaration by the two prime ministers confirmed the commitment to continue dialogue on cooperation in trade and investment.
He said his country would like to facilitate Pakistan which was keen to buy electricity from Kyrgyzstan through Afghanistan.
He said Kyrgyzstan was interested in using Pakistan’s seaports especially the Gwadar port and stressed the two countries to fully exploit this potential.
Almazbek welcomed Pakistan’s intention to extend the scope of activities of Bishkek branch of National Bank of Pakistan including the provision of full services to public through soft lending.
Gilani said the situation in Afghanistan was a source of concern to both Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, and added that the common enemy of terrorism could be overcome through joint strategy. 
He said both the prime ministers during their meeting reiterated their resolve to cooperate on restoration of stability, peace and development in Afghanistan.
He said “Pakistan was the part of solution and not part of the problem” and stressed that the solution to Afghanistan should be “Afghan-led”.
The Kyrgyz Prime Minister appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace and security in Afghanistan.
He said he had accepted the invitation extended by Prime Minister Gilani to visit Pakistan on the mutually convenient dates.
Earlier, both the Prime Ministers signed a Joint Declaration that announced establishment of Joint Business Council, declaration of Islamabad and Kyrgyz capital Bishkek as sister cities, cooperation in intelligence-sharing, checking drug-trafficking in the region and exchange of parliamentary delegations.
The Joint Declaration affirmed comprehensive cooperation in trade, economic relations and investment. It was agreed that new impetus would be given to develop economy through Pakistani investments in the spheres of transport, logistics, light industry, textiles, power, agriculture and tourism.
The two countries stressed the need for more active involvement of Inter-governmental Committee for Trade and Economic Cooperation and the establishment of Joint Business Council.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan also agreed to cooperate in renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
The parties expressed interest for cooperation in the framework of Central Asia-South Asia Regional Electricity Market (CASAREM) to allow power export from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The two countries agreed to raise level of cooperation in cultural and educational spheres besides pursuing national and regional security interests by extending cooperation in struggle against international and religious terrorism, separatism, and arms and drugs trafficking.
Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan agreed for an active interaction and consultations to promote stability, peace and development in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Gilani and his Kyrgyz counterpart also witnessed the signing of an Agreement on military training and a Memorandum of Understanding on enhancing the volume of bilateral trade.
The Agreement on defence training was signed by Secretary Defence Lt Gen (retd) Syed Athar Ali and his Kyrgyz counterpart. The Agreement between the two defence ministries facilitates the Kyrgyz military personnel to get training in Pakistan’s defence institutions.
The MoU on trade was inked by President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Senator Ghulam Ali and Marat Sharshekeev, Head of Kyrgyz Commerce and Industry Chamber. The MoU focuses on enhancing the volume of bilateral trade and exploring the business potential in diverse areas.
The delegation-level talks were supported by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretary Defence Lt Gen (retd) Syed Athar Ali, Pakistan’s ambassador Tanvir Akhtar Khaskheli and President FPCCI Senator Ghulam Ali leading a 12-member group of businessmen.