PM attends Niyazov funeral, meets Erdogan, Boucher

ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan)—Attending funeral of Sapharmurat Niyazov, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Sunday met Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmonov and the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher and discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral relations.
In a one-on-one meeting, Prime Minister Aziz and Turkish PM Erdogan discussed Pak-Turkey bilateral relations and situation in the region. They emphasized on cooperation between the two countries in various fields and to further strengthen trade relations in particular. The two leaders also focused on enhancing people-to-people contacts and cooperation in private sector. In a meeting with Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmonov, Prime Minister Aziz discussed issues of bilateral interests.
They focused political and diplomatic ties and measures to further deepen their co-operation in all facets. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz called for greater regional cooperation and collective efforts and said Pakistan continued to advocate a strategic restraint regime in the region as a basis for security and stability.—APP