The talks here at the PM House between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Crown Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa covered wide range of issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders held one-on-one talks, before they were joined in by their aides for a formal round, covering regional and international issues and discussion on ways to strengthen bilateral co-operation. The two countries also signed two agreements to strengthen collaboration in social development and for closer interaction between their ministries of foreign affairs.
The MoU on Social Development Co-operation aims at exchanging information and working together to support the efforts to achieve the welfare of their people.
The two sides will co-operate in exchange of studies and experiences in policymaking and programmes related to social development. They will also hold training of officers and experts, besides, organising seminars and exhibitions in the fields of social protection and social development.
The second MoU aims at enhancing bilateral relations through consultations and to co-ordinate their positions on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The two sides will also exchange information and experience in the fields of education, research and training of diplomatic personnel. In a joint press stake out, the two leaders said there was complete unanimity of views on important issues.
The two leaders discussed Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran's nuclear issue and Kashmir. Prime Minister Aziz apprised him of the progress on the composite dialogue process with India, relations with China and Afghanistan and its desire to resolve all issues peacefully through talks.
They also discussed prospects of export of manpower from Pakistan to Bahrain that already has 40,000 Pakistanis. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan would send its skilled manpower in areas that have a high demand in Bahrain.
The Crown Prince said his government has done away with the sponsorship system and was urging its private sector to meet its demands from abroad.
Shaukat said the two governments will also explore ways to initiate talks on having a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with Bahrain or the GCC. They called for an early reactivation of their Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and supported greater interaction between the private sectors of the two countries.
Prime Minister said the private sectors of the two countries would have a representation at the JMC to "unleash" their capabilities and to take the forum to new heights.
They said the two countries were working together to meet the challenges confronting the Ummah and trying to bring peace and stability to the region. Prime Minister Aziz said the talks covered co-operation in lots of areas. The Crown Prince said there were no fixed areas, but a wide spectrum of avenues were open for both the sides to explore and invest. He said the relationship between the two countries was old and he was optimistic that it could be built upon further.
To a question about the Gulf Co-operation Council's desire to acquire nuclear technology, the Crown Prince said it was important to recognise that such an acquisition was purely for peaceful civilian purposes. "It should not be confused with an arms race," he said and warned that "even the perception" that it can be used for nuclear weapons was dangerous.
The Crown Prince appreciated the economic reform agenda that was being pursued by Pakistan. "I salute, as I know it is not easy to reform," he said and cited Bahrain's experience in this regard. Standing along side Prime Minister Aziz he said "only the bravest of the brave" can dare take such an initiative to undertake broad-based reforms in all sectors.
Earlier, Crown Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Al-Khalifa was accorded a formal reception, when he arrived at the Prime Minister House.
Later on, the Crown Prince of Bahrain called upon the private sectors of Pakistan and Bahrain to fully utilise the trade and economic potential of the two countries, to increase the volume and scope of bilateral trade and investment.
"Economically, the two countries are moving forward in developing their trading ties, but we hope to see further progress in other areas," the Crown Prince stated while speaking at a banquet hosted in honour of the delegation of Bahrain.
He said, Pakistan has outstanding intellectual capital and technology, while Bahrain benefits from banking expertise, and the freest economy in the Middle East. Crown Prince of Bahrain emphasised that Bahrain was more than satisfied with the current status of the relations between the two countries.
He said his present visit, as well as his visit to Pakistan as Under-secretary of Defence were part of the ongoing efforts by the two sides to discuss, understand and exchange views on all matters of interest to both the countries.
"While we are proud of our history, tomorrow we add another building block by inaugurating the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Islamabad," he added.
He said, Bahrain recognises Pakistan as an important asset for training of Bahrainis in the military field, and greatly appreciates the assistance provided by the armed forces in this regard.
He said such co-operation should be maintained and built upon in the coming years. "The opportunities are too big to be missed", he concluded.