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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan committed to providing landlocked Uzbekistan access to its warm water seaports during a two-day state visit by Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, according to a joint declaration issued by the Foreign Office on Friday. The Uzbek president and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held talks covering bilateral relations and regional security issues during the February 5-6 state visit. Pakistan pledged to make available its seaports for Uzbek transit cargo and provide access to its road network for trade and transit requirements. It aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration between the two countries. The leaders also pledged to support each other&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity while advancing cooperation in areas including trade, culture and defense. Both sides expressed satisfaction with relations developed over 34 years since establishing diplomatic ties, citing shared historical and cultural bonds. The visit marked the inaugural meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, established during PM Sharif&#39;s February 2025 visit to Uzbekistan. The mechanism provides top-level oversight of bilateral cooperation. Trade and connectivity The leaders agreed to reach a $2 billion bilateral trade target by 2029. Uzbekistan was the first Central Asian nation to sign transit and preferential trade agreements with Pakistan, according to the statement. Both countries welcomed the Framework Agreement signed in July 2025 for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan Railway Project, endorsing the Termiz-Kharlachi route. They committed to completing the project&#39;s feasibility study. The sides agreed to establish joint management of economic zones in both countries to facilitate industrial cooperation and exports to third markets, including the Commonwealth of Independent States and Europe. Cultural and defense cooperation The leaders signed an agreement on preserving and promoting the scientific, educational and architectural heritage of the Baburid dynasty. They agreed to expand tourism cooperation through direct flights between Tashkent and Islamabad and Lahore, and to activate a Tourism Working Group. Both nations expressed readiness to maintain dialogue on security and defense, agreeing to continue joint military exercises and training programs. They pledged cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism, separatism, extremism and drug trafficking. Regional issues According to the statement, the two leaders called on Afghanistan to dismantle terrorist organizations operating from its territory, citing regional security concerns and the importance of stability for the railway project&#39;s implementation. Both sides expressed support for Palestinian self-determination and an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders. Uzbekistan voiced support for Pakistan&#39;s rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for 2026-2027 and congratulated Pakistan on chairing the organization&#39;s Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure for 2025-2026 and the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2026-2027. Meanwhile, Pakistan commended Uzbekistan for hosting the 43rd UNESCO General Conference session in Samarkand in 2025. Both nations pledged to deepen cooperation across trade, security and regional connectivity.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif and President of Uzbekistan exchange protocol to improve the bilateral trade to $2 billion annually. (PMO)

Economy

As Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev concludes Islamabad visit, Pakistan pledges seaport access, boosts connectivity, sets ambitious trade targets, and deepens strategic cooperation across security, economy, and culture.

Pakistan opens seaports to Uzbekistan, strengthens regional connectivity push

ISLAMABAD: Canada and Mexico hope next year&#39;s review of their free trade deal with the United States will make it &quot;fairer and more effective,&quot; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said after a meeting with Mexico&#39;s president, AFP reported on Thursday.After their talks in Mexico City, Carney said both he and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum were &quot;committed&quot; to the deal that had &quot;helped make North America the economic envy of the world.&quot;<div class="fr-embed"><iframe width="1312" height="738" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KC8MOpTB5qU" title="LIVE | Mark Carney Visits Mexico Holds Bilateral Talks With President Claudia Sheinbaum | N18G" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">&nbsp;</iframe></div>Canadian Prime Minister Carney arrived in Mexico City on Thursday for a two-day mission designed to improve recently strained ties and seek a common front in crucial trade talks with the United States, Reuters reported.The visit comes as the US-Mexico-Canada free trade deal is to be reviewed in 2026, and the three countries kick off public consultations.&nbsp;

Americas

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum aim to strengthen ties and ensure the 2026 review of the US-Mexico-Canada trade deal makes it fairer and more effective.

Articles tagged with "trade deal"

Pakistan opens seaports to Uzbekistan, strengthens regional connectivity push

Canada, Mexico seek to make trade deal with US 'fairer': Carney