Pak, Czech to enhance ties in trade, defence sectors
10 May, 2007
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| ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz shakes hand with his Czech counterpart Mirek Topolanek during a welcome ceremony at Prime Minister House in Isl |
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Czech republic have agreed to enhance bilateral economic, trade and defence ties and to promote mutual investment.
The two sides inked four Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for cooperation in health, foreign services academy, academy of sciences and chamber of commerce and industry.
This was decided in a meeting between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and his Czech counterpart, Merik Topolanek here on Wednesday. Federal ministers Humayun Akhtar Khan, G G Jamal, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Saleem Saifullah, Zahid Hamid, Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Ali Asjad Malhi and foreign secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan were also present on the occasion.
Later speaking at a joint press conference, Shaukat Aziz termed their talks as positive and fruitful. He said it was the first ever visit of any Czech PM to Pakistan adding his visit would open new vistas of cooperation.
The prime minister said the two countries would boost cooperation in trade, investment and other sectors. The power companies of Czech Republic, he said, would invest in Pakistan.
Shaukat Aziz said we want interfaith harmony. ?Islam is the religion of peace that teaches brotherhood and harmony,? he added.
The prime minister said the Afghanistan situation also came under discussion and both of them had commonality in views over the issue. He said a stable Afghanistan was in the interest of the entire region. ?We will support the efforts being made for maintaining peace in Afghanistan,? Aziz added.
Shaukat Aziz said the major problem of Afghanistan was the opium that were being used by terrorists. He called upon the Afghan refugees to return to their homeland and join army and police to establish peace in their country.
The Czech PM said his meeting with Shaukat Aziz was constructive. We want strong political and diplomatic ties with Pakistan, he added.
He hailed Pakistan`s efforts in regional security and war against terrorism. He said Pakistan had played commendable role in maintaining peace in Afghanistan. Reconstruction in Afghanistan is not possible without army, he added.
Earlier a reception was hosted in the hour of Czech PM at the Prime Minister house. A smartly turned out contingent of army presented guard of honour to the visiting Czech PM. Prime minister Shaukat Aziz received his counterpart. Cabinet members, high officials and services chiefs attended the reception.
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