During the meeting, Pakistani official reiterated Pakistan’s keen desire to diversify and strengthen its bilateral ties with Uzbekistan.

The Pakistani Foreign Minister noted that there was immense mutual political goodwill existing in the two countries. Nevertheless, bilateral economic relations had lagged behind. Keeping in view the available potential between the two countries, he said the present volume of bilateral trade of around US$40 million between the two countries was far negligible.

Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would open up new economic and trade vistas for our two countries as well.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Uzbekistan was an important Central Asian country and had a significant role to play in promoting regional peace and stability, as well as augmenting intra-regional cooperation within the framework of the Economic Cooperation Organization.

Foreign Minister Norov renewed his country’s offer to supply 1000 MW of electricity to Pakistan through Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that the proposal was being examined by Pakistan to assess its viability.

The Foreign Ministers agreed to convene the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Joint Economic Commission in Islamabad this year. The Commission had last met in Tashkent in 2009. It was also agreed to hold Bilateral Annual Consultations in pursuance of the bilateral MOU signed on 26 June 1996.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s contributions towards rooting out the scourge of terrorism. He said violent extremism was our common enemy and that Pakistan would continue to have full support of Uzbekistan in its counter terrorism endeavours. The Uzbek Foreign Minister expressed the hope that Pakistan, which was presently an observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, would become full member of the Organization once rules and criteria for expanding the membership were finalized.