Pakistani leader optimistic over four-party summit in Dushanbe

29/8 Tass 229

DUSHANBE, August 29 (Itar-Tass) - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari
has expressed optimism over a four-party meeting with leaders of Russia,
Afghanistan and Tajikistan in Dushanbe due on September 2-3, the Tajik
national news agency Khovar reported on Monday with reference to
diplomatic sources.
"Dushanbe is a good platform for our discussions," he said receiving
Tajik ambassador Zubaidullo Zubaidov in his residence.
"The four-party summit is a good occasion for discussing regional
problems and developing bilateral relations," Zardari said.
The summit's agenda is not known, but experts believe that the four
countries launched a new phase of regional economic integration that may
be strengthened during the meeting.
According to the information available to Itar-Tass, last Tuesday
Moscow hosted a meeting that brought together governmental officials and
business people from Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. They
decided to set up a joint expert group to step up regional economic
cooperation.
In his comments on the Pakistani-Tajik relations Zardari expressed
satisfaction with the pace of bilateral cooperation and added that his
country was interested in further development of relations.
Zubaidov said in turn the two countries' trade and economic relations
become stronger from year to year, the number of entrepreneurs from
Pakistan is growing in Tajikistan.
At the same time the diplomat noted that the bilateral trade remains
too low and does not meet the two countries' interests. In January-July
the trade turnover reached 5 million dollars.
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