ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has reaffirmed his country’s readiness to provide Kyrgyzstan with the shortest and most cost-effective trade route to the Arabian Sea.
During a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov in Islamabad on Thursday, President Zardari emphasised the need to expand direct flights between the two countries to enhance trade, tourism, and people-to-people connectivity, Radio Pakistan reported.
The president commended Kyrgyzstan for completing its segment of the CASA-1000 energy project and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to finishing its portion, which he said is now in its final stages.
He informed the visiting leader that Pakistan has added Kyrgyzstan to its Business Visa List and Visa Prior to Arrival categories, and encouraged similar facilitation for Pakistani entrepreneurs and travelers.
President Zhaparov thanked Pakistan for supporting Kyrgyzstan’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council and extended an invitation to President Zardari to visit Kyrgyzstan at his convenience.
During the meeting, the two Presidents also discussed regional connectivity and expressed satisfaction with the operational road corridor under the Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement.
Following the meeting, a state banquet was held in honour of the visiting President.
Earlier, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan exchanged fifteen MoUs and agreements, covering diverse areas including mining and geosciences, energy, agriculture, tourism, the transfer of sentenced prisoners, customs, surgical instruments, and culture.
