ISLAMABAD: Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rasit Meredow arrived at the Pakistani foreign office on Tuesday for talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, amid the South Asian nation’s efforts to boost trade and transit ties with Central Asian republics.
Meredow is on a three-day visit to Pakistan, as Islamabad hopes to leverage its strategic geopolitical position and enhance its role as a pivotal trade and transit hub connecting the landlocked Central Asian republics with the rest of the world.
There has been a flurry of recent visits, investment talks and economic activity between Pakistan and Central Asian states, including meetings with leaders from Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
"The two leaders will lead their respective delegations in the third round of bilateral political consultations and discuss global and regional developments," the Pakistani foreign office spokesperson said in a statement ahead of Meredow’s meeting with Dar.
"The two leaders will hold talks to give positive impetus to Pakistan-Turkmenistan relations and explore avenues of bilateral cooperation with special focus on trade, investment and energy cooperation, regional connectivity and cultural ties.”
Meredow and Dar will also address a joint press stakeout.
Located in a landlocked but resource-rich region, Central Asian countries need better access to regional markets including Pakistan, China, India, and the countries of West Asia. Meanwhile, Islamabad is seeking to bolster trade and investment relations with allies to stabilize its fragile $350 billion economy as it faces an acute balance of payment crisis amid soaring inflation and surging external debt.
Pakistan has recently offered that Central Asian states become part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, under which Beijing has pledged around $65 billion in energy, infrastructure and other projects in Pakistan. Islamabad believes the corridor presents a strategic opportunity for Central Asian states to transport their goods more easily to regional and global markets.
