20000305

Pak-Turkmen FMs emphasise peaceful solution of Kashmir, Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Turkmenistan on Saturday held talks on bilateral, regional and global issues with special emphasis on Afghanistan and Kashmir and enhancement of bilateral cooperation in communication and economic fields.

Turkmen Foreign Minister Boris Shikhmuradov, who arrived in Islamabad on a three-day visit on Saturday, called on the Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf, and delivered a letter from President Sapemurat Niyazov Turkmenbashi.

President Niyazov extended an invitation to Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf to visit Turkmenistan. The Chief Executive accpeted the invitation and asked the Turkmen Foreign Minister to convey his best wishes and warm regards to President Niyazov.

The talks laid special emphasis on enhancement of economic interaction. The talks also covered Afghanistan and other regional issues of mutual concern.

Talks at the foreign office were led by Foreign Minister abdul Sattar and the Turkmen Foreign Minister Boris Shikhmuradov.

The two sides held indepth exchange on developing communication and economic links.

With regard to Afghanistan, both sides underlined the need for peace and stability and noted that the whole region would benefit immensely from the return of normalcy to Afghanistan.

On the question of Pakistan's relations with India and the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar briefed the Turkmen side at length about the increase in tensions due to hostile statements and provocative actions by India in recent days.

Turkmen foreign minister underlined the need for resolving the Kashmir dispute through talks. APP