TASHKENT - Pakistan and Uzbekistan have expressed complete understanding on all issues confronting the two countries in particular and the entire region in general. These issues include terrorism, extremism, militancy, drug trafficking and organised crime. Both states have resolved to divert major portion of their resources to counter these menaces. Tashkent and Islamabad expressed willingness to jointly face the existing challenges besides agreeing to boost their two-way trade while exploring areas, including the energy sector, where they could enter into joint ventures. The required goodwill and determination could be witnessed when Prime Ministers Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev met here on Thursday. Their body language and comfort level at the official talks, one-on one meeting, was visible, particularly on the issue of peace and stability in the region, with a focus on Afghanistan. During a short media interaction at the International Business Centre where the two delegations held discussions followed by signing of MoUs and agreements, the Uzbek Premier said Pakistan is a close and reliable friend of Uzbekistan and the two countries have great potential in all spheres of life. The two sides have also agreed to set up an Urdu Chair at Tashkent University and Uzbek Chair at Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabd and expressed their confidence that such moves would help bring the two peoples closer and understand each other better. We have common stakes in Afghanistan and we need common approach to deal with the situation in and around our Muslim neighbour. We have been cooperating at all levels and our mutual efforts would produce positive results, the Uzbek Premier told the media in the joint address with PM Gilani. PM Gilani, while referring to Afghan conflict in his talk, said: Pakistan is part of the solution and not part of the problem. To resolve this issue what is required is a common strategy and an identical approach, he added. Uzbek premier said 6+3 formula could provide real solution to the Afghan crises and Tashkent and Islamabad had similar views on the subject. The formula means six regional countries and America, the European Union and NATO to work jointly to ensure peace and stability in the region. As the two prime minister were leaving the conference room, the Uzbek PM dashed to reporters and shared pleasantries. He said he has congratulated Premier Gilani on Pakistan Day and also on Pakistani team winning the quarterfinal against West Indies. Premier Gilani said he has congratulated his Uzbek friend on Nauroze. The two prime ministers agreed to increase the frequencies of high level contact which, in their views, alone would bring the two nation closer and help explore new fields to cement the already existing bilateral relations. Prime Minister Gilani informed the media that he has extended and invitation to Uzbek Prime Minister to visit Pakistan in the near future, which he has accepted. The dates for the proposed visit would be worked out by the two foreign offices. Later Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev hosted a banquet in honour of visiting Pakistani Prime Minister, which was attended by members of his entourage and the notable of Uzbekistan. Speaking on the occasion, Premier Gilani said problems facing Pakistan and Uzbekistan could be resolved through mutual cooperation and concerted effort, adding that both the countries needed to cooperate and coordinate their efforts at forums like Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Economic Cooperation Organisation, OIC and the United Nations. PM Gilani said Pakistan is engaged in a campaign against terrorism at a tremendous human and material cost, adding the acts of sacrifices by the valiant security forces and people in the war against terror are fully known to the world. Gilani said the three-decade-old conflict in Afghanistan had a destabilising effect on the entire region and Pakistan being a frontline state has suffered more than any other country in the region. Pakistani is keen to see stability and peace restored in Afghanistan as early as possible and Uzbekistan being an immediate neighbour could play an important role in this context, he added. The PM said it was high time that Pakistan and Uzbekistan build on the tremendous reservoir of goodwill among their people that should add substance to bilateral ties through a sharper focus on trade and economic cooperation. It may be added here that Pakistan and Uzbekistan have made encouraging progress in realising the goal of establishing functional transport corridors and institutionalising business linkages. Both countries need to take full advantage of their geographic proximity to enhance cooperation. Shared heritage and history is reinforced by geography, culture and religion that ensures a common destiny of the two brotherly countries, and at the same time it can come to realise the true potential in the bilateral relations. Pakistan and Uzbekistan have been enjoying cordial bilateral ties since Uzbek independence in 1991. Uzbekistan is interested in promoting all-round relations with Pakistan in different areas, including trade, commerce and culture. At present Pakistans export to Uzbekistan include medical and pharmaceutical products, edibles, medical and surgical instruments, chemical products, clothing and sports fabrics, tobacco, leather products while its imports from Uzbekistan include raw cotton, non-ferrous metals, chemical products and natural honey. To further boost the bilateral trade manifolds, the two countries have signed 29 agreements. Uzbekistan is considering entering into a tripartite agreement with Pakistan and Afghanistan in order to gain access to the Pakistani seaports at Karachi and Gwadar with an objective to increase volumes of bilateral trade. It may be mentioned that the Gwadar port provides Central Asia with the shortest access to the sea. Uzbekistan and Pakistan have a close cooperation in the fields of defence production and there is a strong possibility this cooperation would soon be converted into joint ventures. Uzbekistan at present produces three types of aircraft IL-86, IL-86M and IL-114 and Pakistan can be largely benefited. APP adds: Pakistan and Uzbekistan on Thursday inked agreements and MoUs for easy transport and transit of goods and cooperation in veterinary sciences. Prime Minister Gilani and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev witnessed the signing ceremony as the representatives of Pakistan and Uzbekistan inked the documents. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar signed the agreement that included its ratification on transport and transit of goods. From the Uzbek side, Minister for Economics Ravshan Gulomov inked the agreement. The agreement envisages free traffic in transit to the carriers of contracting parties through multi-model transport system in accordance with their existing national laws and regulations. Minister for Privatisation Syed Naveed Qamar and Uzbek Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Zafar Ruziev signed the MoU on cooperation in the fields of animal husbandry and veterinary sciences. Gilanis visit to Uzbekistan is part of his efforts to strengthen ties with Central Asian Republics. He has recently paid official visits to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. PM Gilani, who also called on Uzbek President Islam Karimov at the Oksaroy Palace, discussed with him regional situation and bilateral ties besides covering wide-ranging issues. Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan is keen to establish energy and infrastructure connectivity with the Central Asian Republics to enhance trade and economic ties. The two leaders discussed regional scenario particularly in the backdrop of gradual withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan. Both the leaders noted the need for an active interaction for a peaceful transition of Afghanistan as both the countries have a direct interest in the war-ravaged country. President Karimov and Prime Minister Gilani noted that Tashkent and Islamabad have a similarity of views on important international and regional issues. He said that connectivity between the two countries, through Afghanistan, would increase trade and people-to-people contacts. He said Uzbekistan could also benefit from the Pakistani seaports at Gwadar and Karachi and find new markets in the Middle East and Europe. Prime Minister Gilani also thanked the Uzbek government for its humanitarian aid following the devastating summer floods last year. In his joint address with the Uzbek PM, Premier Gilani pointed out Pakistans energy requirements and said Pakistan is prepared to buy surplus electricity from the neighbouring Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. He said the two countries can also have close collaboration in the oil and gas sector, and urged the need to explore possibilities to the mutual benefit of the two states and their peoples. Prime Minister Gilani noted that trade between the two countries was around only $40 million per annum, far below the potential, and said closer collaboration was required to raise it. The Uzbek PM said the two countries can increase trade at least five times, and offered its locally-manufactured buses, trucks and machinery. The two leaders agreed on greater involvement of their private sectors and strengthening of cooperation between the chambers and industry of the two countries. Prime Minister Gilani was of the view that agreements on establishing banking channels and liberal visa regimes were imperative to improve bilateral trade and investment and to increase business-to-business contact through the Joint Business Council. Gilani called for closer cooperation in the field of agriculture, energy, petroleum and natural resources and science and technology. He also offered Pakistans assistance for the development of Uzbek Human Resources for training in various fields. Prime Minister Gilani proposed formation of a Joint Working Group on implementation of joint investment projects and to facilitate the business community to participate in fairs and exhibitions. Gilani said Pakistan would be ready to help security and defence cooperation with Uzbekistan. He said both the countries have common threats and challenges, created by extremists and criminal elements and have stakes in Afghanistan. Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani on Thursday arrived on a two-day visit in Uzbekistan. A red carpet was rolled out and flags of Pakistan and Uzbekistan fluttered atop the airport building as Prime Minister Gilani alighted from special aircraft, on his first visit to the largest of the five Central Asian Republics. He was received at the Tashkent International Airport by Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev.