Belarus FM holds talks with Pakistani senior officials

MINSK, 1 June (BelTA) - Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Aleinik held talks with Pakistan's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his official visit to Pakistan on 31 May, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the ministry, Sergei Aleinik and Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the friendly nature of Belarusian-Pakistani relations, the focus on their further strengthening and development. The parties discussed the entire range of Belarusian-Pakistani cooperation, including the implementation of agreements reached following the meetings of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko with Shehbaz Sharif last autumn.

“Particular attention was paid to the preparation and economic content of the upcoming visits at various levels. Given the current global challenges, the parties have agreed to strengthen cooperation within international regional organizations,” the ministry said.

At a meeting with the Pakistani economy minister, the parties considered topical issues of expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation. The ministers confirmed their interest in activating contacts through the business community and regional leaders of the two countries.

“In order to step up interaction between Belarus and Pakistan in trade, implementation of joint projects in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, logistics, science and education, the parties agreed to intensify work on a road map to increase mutual trade through 2025,” the ministry said.

Sergei Aleinik also met with Chief of Army Staff Pakistan General Syed Asim Munir. The parties discussed interaction between the defense agencies of the two countries and also military and technical cooperation. “The parties also exchanged views on the global and regional security situation,” the ministry added.

While in Pakistan, the Belarusian minister of foreign affairs also held meetings with representatives of major Pakistani businesses to discuss the prospects for implementing a number of projects of mutual interest.

Photos courtesy of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs