President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said Pakistan and Tajikistan need to work closely on infrastructure, energy connectivity and trans-regional economic co-operation projects such as CASA-1000. This was stated by President Asif Ali Zardari during his meeting with the Ambassador of Tajikistan Zubaydullo N. Zubaydov at Aiwan-e- Sadr here.
Bilateral relations of the two countries and the progress on various agreed projects were discussed in the meeting. The President thanked Tajik President Emomali Rahmon for extending invitation to attend the Navroz Festival in Dushanbe. He said the two countries being important regional players need to enhance consultation and co-ordination to promote peace and stability in the region.
The President also emphasised upon the need to focus on enhancing bilateral trade volume which was showing upward positive trend yet was far below its potential. He said Pakistani ports provide the shortest access to the Tajik goods and Pakistan was ready to provide access to Tajikistan to Gwadar Port for its international trade. He said Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement had added opportunities for trade linkages between the two countries.
The President also underscored the need for the two countries to explore possibilities of Preferential Trade Arrangements and to operationalize ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA). The Tajik Ambassador said that Tajikistan was also eager to enhance multifaceted partnership with Pakistan for the mutual benefit of the two countries.