Pakistan, Bosnia agree to promote bilateral ties
10 October, 2012
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Bosnia on Tuesday agreed to enhance bilateral ties in various fields, especially defence, trade and investment with promoting exchange of visits at various levels between the two countries. President Asif Ali Zardari and his Bosnian counterpart Bakir Izetbegovic addressing a joint press conference following talks at the Presidency said both countries agreed there was great potential to be explored to enhance bilateral trade and cooperation in various fields, including defence, energy and trade. President Zardari said, "We agree that there is great goodwill in the hearts of the people of our two countries that will help in further increasing relations." He said there was also a need to transform the goodwill into concrete cooperation. Zardari said, "We appreciate the interest of Bosnian University of the Presidency to explore possibilities for cooperation in the educational field." He said both the presidents discussed global issues of common concern, including terrorism, extremism and narcotics. Referring to cooperation in trade, the president said an MoU had been singed between the Foreign Trade Agency of Bosnia and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries. He said, "We hope that Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) being negotiated between the two countries would also be finalised soon. The second round in these negotiations is expected to be held later this month." Bosnian President Izetbegovic, while replying to a question, said Bosnia and Pakistan could cooperate in the energy and banking sector also to promote trade and economic activities. President Zardari during his one-on-one meeting with President Izetbegovic said Pakistan valued its relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and called for further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in all fields, especially economic and commercial realm. The president assured his Bosnian counterpart of all-out support and cooperation of Pakistan's government in boosting bilateral trade ties. The two leaders shared common concerns on terrorism and extremism and agreed on increased sharing of intelligence between the two countries in this regard. President Zardari reiterated that militancy and heroin were nurtured by the international community as a war weapon and called upon the world to share responsibility and come forward to help Pakistan in curbing militancy and narcotics in the region. Commenting on defence ties between the two countries, the president valued bilateral cooperation and understanding in defence field and asked for further enhancing defence cooperation. He termed the signing of an MoU in defence cooperation between the two countries a significant step. End.
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