ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Ab
basi and President of Guinea Alpha Conde Saturday discussed ways and means to strengthen bilateral relations, as they met here in Turkey on the sidelines of 9th D-8 Su
mmit.
The two leaders discussed the prospects of enhanced bilateral cooperation in
diverse areas, including defence, agriculture, education, railways, banking and construction.
The prime minister said Pakistan’s vision for Africa was to develop strong, close cooperative relations by enhancing trade, investment and defence cooperation and establishing joint ventures and public-private partnerships.
Prime Minister Abbasi offered Pakistan’s expertise to Guinea in textile, leather and other sectors.
Both leaders endorsed the Turkish president’s proposal of expanding the D-8 Organisation for inclusion of other countries.
Discussing the global cha
llenge of terrorism, the prime minister said Pakistan had achieved significant successes to eliminate this menace with national resolve.
The president of Guinea said terrorism was a common enemy and needed to be tackled effectively.
He expressed Guinea’s desire to have strong bilateral relations with Pakistan in every field and said Guinea was open for Pakistani investors.
The President of Guinea invited Prime Minister Abbasi to visit Guinea at the earliest, which was accepted by the Prime Minister who reciprocated by extending invitation to President Conde to visit Pakistan.
Separately, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Ab
basi also met President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday on the sidelines of the su
mmit.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, prospects of enhancing cooperation in
diverse areas as well as other matters of mutual interest.
Abbasi told the Nigeria president that Pakistan could provide cooperation in several sectors including health, infrastructure, education and human resource management. “There is a lot of trade potential between the two countries that can be utilised for the benefit of the people of Pakistan and Nigeria,” Ab
basi added.
The prime minister sa
id that Pakistan and Nigeria were facing similar cha
llenges and could help each other through sharing of expertise. He apprised the Nigerian president to the gains made by Pakistan in anti-terrorism operations.
