ISLAMABAD, Sept 19 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani President, Arif Alvi, told his Turkmen counterpart, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in a telephone conversation that, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), would boost regional connectivity, the president house said.
Alvi said, countries of the region, particularly Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, would tremendously benefit from CPEC’s road and railway infrastructure.
He also highlighted the importance of the Gwadar port in southwestern Balochistan province, which offers a great trade route to Turkmenistan, and suggested an early finalisation of a memorandum of understanding on sister port relationship between the ports of Gwadar and Turkmenbashi.
“The two leaders expressed satisfaction over existing relationship and emphasised the need to further strengthen and diversify trade, economic and energy cooperation between the two countries.”
Alvi talked to Berdimuhamedov about Pakistan’s policy of smart lock-down that successfully contained the COVID-19 pandemic. He also appreciated the remarkable measures taken by the government of Turkmenistan in curbing the spread of the virus.
Both sides also discussed the Afghan peace process and stressed the need for an early peaceful solution to the long-drawn war.
According to the statement, Berdimuhamedov proposed online meetings of existing institutional mechanisms between the two countries on trade, communications, agriculture, industry, transport, and science and technology, so as to enhance cooperation in these areas.– NNN-APP
