Both sides reiterate their willingness to support each other’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Uzbek President pose after signing a protocol to increase bilateral trade between Pakistan and Uzbekistan to $2 billion annually on Thursday. Photo: X
Pakistan and Uzbekistan signed a joint statement following Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit reaffirming their commitment to expand strategic cooperation across trade, connectivity, security, education and culture, the foreign ministry said on Friday.
The statement said the talks and agreements signed during the visit would “further strengthen the strategic partnership between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan”.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the trajectory of bilateral relations and agreed to deepen cooperation in political, economic and regional spheres, with the leaders holding “comprehensive and in-depth discussions covering the entire spectrum of bilateral relations”.
The two countries reiterated their commitment to reach a bilateral trade target of $2 billion in the coming years. They also agreed to expand industrial cooperation, promote joint ventures and strengthen cooperation in sectors including pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, minerals and engineering goods.
Read: Pakistan, Uzbekistan sign pact to boost trade to $2bn in next five years; 28 MoUs, agreements signed
On connectivity, the leaders stressed the importance of regional integration and welcomed progress on the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway project, terming it crucial for transit trade and socio-economic development. They reaffirmed their commitment to the early completion of the project and to strengthening multimodal transport links.
The statement highlighted growing cooperation in defense and security, with both sides agreeing to continue joint military exercises, training programs and institutional exchanges. They also promised closer cooperation between law enforcement agencies to fight terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.
Regarding regional issues, the leaders emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, and called for concrete action against terrorist groups and to prevent the use of Afghan territory for terrorism against other countries.
Both countries reaffirmed support for multilateral cooperation and pledged to coordinate closely in the UN and other international forums and support each other’s candidacies.
In terms of cultural and educational ties, the statement noted plans to expand academic collaboration, research partnerships and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides also agreed to promote tourism cooperation, media exchanges and joint cultural initiatives to strengthen historical ties.
Uzbek President Mirziyoyev thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their hospitality and invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Uzbekistan, an invitation which the Prime Minister accepted.
