Thaindian News

Islamabad, Nov 15 (IANS) Pakistan and Turkmenistan have signed five agreements to enhance bilateral ties in various fields, including trade and energy.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov were present at the signing of accords in a ceremony held at the Prime Minister House, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

Berdymukhammedov and Gilani Monday agreed to strengthen bilateral relations through increased cooperation in diverse fields.

The prime minister said that both the countries were strategic partners and Pakistan could provide Turkmenistan corridor over land and sea routes, which would set in motion mutual economic complementarities for the benefit of their people.

The prime minister said that Pakistan supported the energy corridor, TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India), and also wanted to import 1,000 MW electricity from Turkmenistan.

The Turkmenistan president said that his country was ready to export electricity to Pakistan and also gas from the newly discovered gas field which also has the geographical proximity with Pakistan.

The agreement on gas sales purchase relating to the TAPI gas pipeline project was inked by managing director of Inter-State Gas System Mubeen Saulat and chairman of Turkmenistan Gas Trade Concern Amanali Hanalyev.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Turkmenistan Minister Rashid Meredov signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the foreign ministries of two countries, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

The MoU on cooperation between Pakistan’s ministry of commerce and ministry of trade and foreign economic relations of Turkmenistan was signed by Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim and Turkmenistan Minister Byar Abayev.

The MoU on cultural cooperation was inked by Khar and Turkmenistan Culture Minister Gulmurad Muradov.