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Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said the
purpose of his visit to Kazakhstan was to further
strengthen ties, expand cooperation in different areas,
and increase bilateral trade, investment and economic
cooperation.
The Prime Minister, who arrived in the Kazakh Capital on
a two-day visit, said he would exchange views with the
leaders of the host country on significant bilateral
issues.
In a detailed interview published in the Astana Times,
the leading English daily of Kazakhstan, he said the
bilateraltrade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan was far
below its potential.There existed tremendous potential
for enhancing the same, he added.
He stressed that both sides needed to make efforts to
utilize all available options, while simultaneously
exploring new areas of cooperation.
Responding to a question, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
said that Pakistan supported the Conference for
Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA)
process and actively participated in its activities.
Pakistan had recently joined the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO), which was also an important
organization, he added.
He said, "Pakistan believes that adherence to the UN
Charter is essential for peace, stability and security
in Asia. Principles of non-interference in internal
affairs, development of friendly relations and
settlement of disputes through dialogue should be
promoted. There is an intrinsic link between development
and security. Therefore, we should focus on regional
connectivity and building economic synergies."
"Pakistan admires Kazakhstan's role for the
international peace and security and has full confidence
in our brotherly country and its visionary leadership.
The Kazakh leadership created CICA, which contributes to
peace and security. Kazakhstan is also an important
member of SCO. We welcome Kazakhstan's increasing role
as
a peace building center," he added.
The Prime Minister also supported Kazakhstan's
candidature for election to a non-permanent seat on the
UN Security Council for the term 2017-2018.
Replying to a query, he said that Pakistan viewed
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a means to
achieve its objective of regional connectivity and
growth opportunity for the entire region and which would
create a win-win situation for all.
About Afghan peace and reconciliation process, Nawaz
Sharif said they fully supported an Afghan-led and
Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.
Stability and peace in Afghanistan was very important
for Pakistan and the region, he added.
To another question, the Prime Minister said that they
had launched the Operation Zarb-e-Azb to eradicate the
menace of extremism and terrorism and it was
successfully going on.
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