The Prime Minister expressed these views in a meeting with Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov here. Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and Advisor to PM on National Security Sartaj Aziz also attended the meeting.
The Prime Minister said the project was part of energy security plan of the Government of Pakistan. "We are glad that the Operations Agreement has been signed and all parties have showed their resolve to complete the project by target date (ie 2017)," he added. Both sides also hoped to finalise export of 1000MW of Turkmen electricity to Pakistan at the earliest.
The PM said Pakistan wanted to transform its ties with Turkmenistan into strong economic partnership. "The focus of our foreign policy is on peace for development and the main thrust of our engagement with Central Asia is on trade, investment, energy, connectivity and culture," he added. The PM expressed gratitude on the cordial invitation extended by President Berdimuhammedov to him for visiting Turkmenistan and said he hoped to undertake a visit later this year.