Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan have signed several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering trade, climate change, counterterrorism, information technology and other areas of mutual interest. The agreements were signed during a ceremony in Bishkek attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Kyrgyz president.
Following the signing ceremony, the two leaders also addressed a joint press conference and highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation between the two countries. The discussions focused on expanding economic relations and increasing collaboration across multiple sectors.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the Pakistan-Kyrgyzstan transit trade agreement as a welcome development. He also said that declaring Lahore and Kyrgyzstan’s Osh as twin cities would help strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
The prime minister said Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan would work together to combat terrorism and extremism. He added that both countries were committed to supporting stronger business-to-business and private-sector relations to expand bilateral trade.
Climate change was another key area of cooperation. According to Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan reached an understanding on joint efforts to address climate-related challenges. Cooperation in education, science and technology, and culture will also be expanded.
Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the decision to establish a joint ministerial group to help move forward the CASA energy agreement. He said both countries also wanted to simplify regulations and procedures to facilitate trade and increase the volume of bilateral commerce.
The prime minister said Pakistan aims to increase bilateral trade with Kyrgyzstan to $2 billion and further strengthen the countries’ longstanding brotherly relations. He described the signing of the latest agreements as an important beginning for expanding cooperation between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
