Both sides reiterate their determination to support each other’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Uzbek president pose after signing a protocol on Thursday to boost bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan to $2 billion annually. Photo:
Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed a joint declaration following the state visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, reaffirming their commitment to expanding strategic cooperation in the fields of trade, connectivity, security, education and culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday.
The statement said the talks and agreements signed during the visit would “further strengthen the strategic partnership between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.”
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to deepen cooperation in the political, economic and regional spheres, and the leaders held “comprehensive and in-depth discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.”
The two countries reiterated their commitment to achieving a bilateral trade goal of $2 billion in the coming years. They also agreed to expand industrial cooperation, promote joint ventures and enhance collaboration in sectors including pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, minerals and engineering goods.
Read: Pakistan and Uzbekistan sign pact to boost trade to $2 billion over next five years; 28 memoranda of understanding and agreements signed
On connectivity, the leaders underlined the importance of regional integration and welcomed progress on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, calling it vital for transit trade and socio-economic development. They reaffirmed their commitment to the early completion of the project and strengthening multimodal transport links.
The statement highlighted growing defense and security cooperation, and both sides agreed to continue joint military exercises, training programs and institutional exchanges. They also promised closer collaboration between law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.
Addressing regional issues, the leaders stressed the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, calling for concrete actions against terrorist groups and preventing the use of Afghan territory for terrorism against other countries.
Both countries reaffirmed their support for multilateral cooperation, promising to coordinate closely at the United Nations and other international forums and support each other’s candidacies.
Regarding cultural and educational ties, the statement highlighted plans to expand academic collaboration, research partnerships and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides also agreed to promote tourism cooperation, media exchanges and joint cultural initiatives to strengthen historical ties.
Uzbek President Mirziyoyev thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their hospitality and invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Uzbekistan, an invitation which the Prime Minister accepted.
