ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkmenistan on Wednesday inked eight accords on cooperation, including a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on financial intelligence to curb money laundering and terrorism financing.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Turkmenistan’s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammadov witnessed the signing ceremony at the PM House as the respective sides inked the documents and also signed the Joint Communique. The two sides also said the threat of extremism and terrorism need to be countered collectively to ensure peace and stability in the region. After holding a round of delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Berdimuhamedov told the media persons that the two countries share similar views on important issues.
Nawaz said Pakistan shares the concern that terrorism and extremism were the root cause of insecurity and instability in the region. “This menace also undermines our endeavours for socio-economic development. We have to work collectively to eradicate the scourge of terrorism and extremism,” he told the reporters at a joint press stake out. The Turkmen president arrived in the country on Wednesday on a two-day visit on the invitation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Berdimuhamedov said both the countries were facing common challenges and “combating common threats is our goal”. Prime Minister Nawaz said both Pakistan and Turkmenistan have good coordination at international forums and would continue to work together for regional and international peace and security. Prime Minister Nawaz said it was his third meeting with the president of Turkmenistan in nine months and said it was reflective of the depth, warmth and cordiality between the two countries. He said the deep seaports provide shortest route to the Arabian Sea to Turkmenistan and other Central Asian States. “We will be happy to see our brothers in Central Asia use these facilities,” he said.
