President Zardari stresses need for strengthening regional security

Radio Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for strengthening security and counter-terrorism cooperation in the region. Addressing 4th Nowruz conference in Ashgabat on Thursday‚ he said all regional countries will have to unite and make collective efforts to bring peace to the region. The president said Pakistan firmly believes that peace and stability are vital for economic progress and development of the region. Pakistan is working to further improve its relations and expand cooperation with the regional countries. He said the region has vast natural resources and Pakistan can provide a corridor as transit for their export to the other countries. The main objective of the ECO to which Pakistan and Central Asian Republics are members‚ is to build infrastructure and connectivity projects in the region. He said Pakistan is willing to facilitate transportation of LNG from Central Asia to South East Asia and other world markets. The latest and modern seaport of Pakistan at Gwadar is the shortest route for Central Asian States to the Arabian Sea. It also offers excellent port facilities for export of LNG and other products. President Zardari said Pakistan is also ready to provide safe transit of piped gas to other neighboring countries. We are keen to implement the projects of energy connectivity like Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India and Iran-Pakistan gas pipelines. President Asif Ali Zardari and his Iranian counterpart Dr Mahmood Ahmadinejad had a meeting at Ashgabat. They exchanged views on strengthening of bilateral relations especially in economic field.