Joint Declaration of Uzbekistan – Pakistan Summit
Political Relations
3. Recalling the centuries-old linkages between the peoples of the two countries, the two leaders highly appreciated holding of the first Virtual Summit as a landmark event in boosting Uzbek-Pakistan relations.
4. The two leaders agreed to enhance their multi-faceted bilateral cooperation in all areas of common interest. They emphasized closer coordination at international fora on issues of mutual convergence.
5. The leaders also decided to regularly convene existing political and economic mechanisms between the two countries, including consultations between their respective Foreign Ministries and to strengthen parliamentary collaboration.
Cooperation at International Fora
7. As members of the UN Human Rights Council, the two sides also expressed readiness to support joint actions to curb human rights violations and combating Islamophobia as well as strengthening interfaith harmony.
8. They also underlined the significance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an important platform.
9. The two sides exchanged views on the Afghan peace process and reaffirmed their support for a negotiated political solution for lasting peace in Afghanistan and the region.
Security and Defence Cooperation
11. The two leaders expressed readiness to expand cooperation between law enforcement agencies of the two countries, in particular in the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
14. They also noted interest to increase industrial cooperation between companies and entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan and Pakistan, especially the growing inter-provincial cooperation after the visit of Governor of Punjab to Namangan region of Uzbekistan.
15. The two sides agreed to fast track finalization and signing of the Preferential Trade Agreement to enhance bilateral trade by eliminating trade barriers.
16. The two sides recognized the presence of huge opportunities to cooperate in spheres of agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textile, leather and chemical industry, energy and information technology. They agreed to promote mutual collaboration in these sectors.
Connectivity
18. The leaders supported the project for the construction of “Termez – Mazar-e-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar” Railway line, as an important initiative to establish railway connectivity from Central Asia to the Arabian Sea through Afghanistan and Pakistani Sea ports of Karachi, Gwadar and Qasim.
19. The two leaders are in favor to resume regular flights between Uzbekistan and Pakistan by their respective airlines after stabilization of COVID-pandemic situation.
Culture and People-to-People Contacts
22. They further identified development of tourism as priority area of common interest in particular the spiritual (Ziyarat) tourism between the two countries.
Agreements Signed
– Agreement on Mutual Recognition in the Fields of Conformity Assessment of Products, Standardization, Metrology and Technical Assistance.
– MoU on Defence Cooperation.
Conclusion
25. The President of Uzbekistan re-confirmed his invitation to Prime Minister Imran Khan, to attend the high-level International Conference on regional connectivity to be held in July 2021. Prime Minister Imran Khan thanked the President and reiterated his invitation to him to visit Pakistan at a convenient time.
26. The present “Joint declaration of Uzbek-Pakistan Summit” was adopted as the outcome of the Virtual Summit on Wednesday, 14 April 2021.