Islamabad, November 26, 2024 – The Europe Today: Pakistan and Belarus reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations by expediting agreements in trade, agriculture, defence, and technology. The decision was announced on Tuesday during a joint press stakeout by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Aleksandr Lukashenko following their bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks.
Both leaders emphasized the need to translate decades-old political ties into actionable agreements. They set February next year as the deadline for finalizing accords to solidify the understandings reached during the discussions.
Key Outcomes:
- Roadmap for Cooperation (2025-2027):
- The signing of the Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation outlines a strategic framework for economic collaboration through high-level meetings, intergovernmental commissions, and focused initiatives.
- Exchange of Agreements and MoUs:
- Key agreements were exchanged, covering environmental protection, disaster management, halal trade, audit institutions, financial intelligence sharing, vocational education, and science & technology.
- Sectoral Collaboration:
- The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in commerce, tourism, defence, food security, agriculture, mining and minerals, IT, and heavy machinery manufacturing.
Speaking to the media, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the discussions as “productive” and highlighted the commitment of both nations to transform these understandings into actionable agreements. He praised President Lukashenko’s vision for fostering closer ties and emphasized the shared goals of advancing economic and strategic partnerships.
Prime Minister Sharif also addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expressing concern over the ongoing violence and urging the international community to resolve conflicts like Gaza and Kashmir for sustainable global peace.
President Lukashenko, in his remarks, reaffirmed Belarus’s readiness to share technology and expertise with Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of monetizing their longstanding political relations for mutual benefit. He lauded Prime Minister Sharif’s proactive approach to implementing agreements and expressed optimism about future collaborations.
Next Steps:
The leaders agreed to convene additional discussions in Minsk to finalize joint initiatives and formalize agreements ahead of the February deadline. This collaboration aims to unlock the immense potential of the bilateral relationship, benefiting both nations economically and strategically.
The agreements represent a significant step forward in Pakistan-Belarus relations, paving the way for deeper cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
