ISLAMABAD, MAY 17 (DNA) – Federal Minister for Food Security and Research Sikandar Bosan has said relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan are from cordial to excellent adding mutual collaboration between the two countries is increasing with each passing day.

The Federal Minister was speaking on the occasion of a round-table arranged by the Embassy of Uzbekistan to mark the 25th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between two countries.

The federal minister particularly mentioned his recent visit to Uzbekistan, which he said was excellent and very productive. He added, Uzbekistan has a lot to offer to Pakistan and vice versa therefore both countries are keen to expand cooperation and a variety of fields.

The minister hoped the newly appointed ambassador of Pakistan to Uzbekistan would contribute greatly towards further promotion and strengthening of these relations.

The National Security Adviser Lt. Gen ® Nasser Khan Janjua, former interior minister Senator Rehman Malik also spoke on the occasion.

Ambassador of Uzbekistan Furkat Sidikov briefed the audience about various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries.

He said, on December 20, 1991 Pakistan recognized independence of Uzbekistan one of the first countries. On May 10, 1992 diplomatic relations were established between the two countries.

These two significant dates related to the opening of a new page in the modem Uzbek-Pakistani relations and the establishment of foundation to build a mutually beneficial partnership based on the principles of respect, equality and taking into account each other’s interests.

-In June 1992 and November 2015 the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif paid the official visits to Uzbekistan. In August 1992 and May 2006  First President  of Uzbekistan Mr. Islam Karimov paid official visits to Pakistan.

In November 2015, Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif  visited Uzbekistan. In June 2016, President Mamnoon Hussain attended the meeting of the Heads of States Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tashkent.

In September 2016, Uzbek delegation headed by Chairman of “Uzindustryexport” visited Islamabad and Lahore. In December 2016, Delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mr.Ulugbek Rozukulov visited Pakistan.

-In February 2017, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mr.Ulugbek Rozukulov visited Pakistan to participate on 13th ECO Summit in Islamabad. In March, 2017, The Federal Minister of Food Security and Researchs Mr.Sikandar Bosan visited Tashkent.

In May, 2017, delegation headed by Minister of agriculture of Punjab Muhammad Naeem Akhtar visited Uzbekistan.

He said, today the development of relations with Pakistan is one of the important directions of Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the South Asian countries.  Uzbekistan and Pakistan equally expressed interest in deepening cooperation in trade, economic and investment fields. Our countries have signed a number of important documents, providing for the strengthening of cooperation in aforementioned areas, including the agreements on trade-economic cooperation, mutual investment, protection of investments, and avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion on income.

Ever increasing potential of Uzbekistan, evolving transport communications and international logistics centers, successively upgradable industry are significant factors in the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Evolving relations in cultural and humanitarian sphere are of great significance in strengthening of Uzbek-Pakistani cooperation. “Uzbekistan-Pakistan” Community has been successfully acting since 1991. The organization regularly hosts a variety of events with the participation of business, cultural, scientific and academic circles, and organizes an exchange of delegations, he added.=DNA

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