Pakistan Seeks Chinese Co-op In Energy Sector

Islamabad, May 30, IRNA – Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday sought Chinese help for his energy-starved country in meeting with the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi. The Chinese Foreign Minister arrived on a two-day visit for talks on bilateral and regional issues, focusing on boosting cooperation amid tense Pakistan-US relationship. “Pakistan is passing through a challenging phase in the energy sector. We greatly appreciate Chinese assistance and investment in the energy sector," President Zaradri told the Chinese Foreign Minister. He expressed the hope that the 2nd Joint Energy Working Group meeting, which was held in Islamabad earlier this month would open new vistas of cooperation in the energy sector. He said that in order to promote people-to-people contacts, there was a need to focus on increasing rail, road and air connectivity. He said that the two sides may consider initiating commercial flights between Islamabad-Kashgar to facilitate greater connectivity. Discussing regional situation, the President said that Pakistan as an important player and China as a source of regional stability, had great roles to play in promoting regional stability and development. He said that the trilateral dialogue recently initiated by the foreign ministers of Pakistan, China and Afghanistan offered new opportunities for enhancing mutual cooperation. He said that Pakistan fully endorsed China's call for the SCO and existing multilateral mechanisms to play their full role in the region for promoting peace, stability and development. The President said that extremism and militancy was a common enemy and should be defeated by joint efforts and mutual cooperation. He also thanked the Chinese Government for its assistance in searching the martyrs of recent Siachen avalanche. The Chinese Foreign Minister thanked the President for meeting and assured his government's continued support to Pakistan. He reiterated China's firm commitment and support safeguarding Pakistan's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. He said China would continue to support Pakistan on all regional and international platforms and thanked Pakistan for its unstinted support to China on critical issues of concern to Beijing like Taiwan. He said that his visit was intended to further enhance and consolidate the strategic partnership between the two countries./end