ASHKABAD (Turkmenistan), Dec 24: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who was in Ashkabad on Sunday to attend the funeral of Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov, held meetings with different world leaders and discussed with them regional and international issues.

During his three-hour stay in the capital of Turkmenistan, he held talks with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonav, Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Acting President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov, United States Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher and Minister for Industries of Saudi Arabia Abdullah Ahmad Zain Ali Raza.

Mr Aziz and the Tajik president exchanged views on political and diplomatic relations between the two countries and pledged to strengthen their cooperation in different fields.

He showed interest in purchasing electricity from Tajikistan.

President Rakhmonov invited Prime Minister Aziz to visit Tajikistan. The prime minister accepted the invitation.

In his meeting with Mr Berdymukhammedov, Mr Aziz expressed grief over the death of Mr Niyazov and extended him condolences on behalf of President Gen Pervez Musharraf, the government and the people of Pakistan.

The prime minister said Mr Niyazov’s demise had deprived Turkmenistan of a great leader. He said Mr Niyazov’s visionary leadership was instrumental in raising the prestige and prosperity of his country.

In a one-on-one meeting, Mr Aziz and Turkish premier Erdogan discussed relations between the two countries and the situation in the region.They emphasised strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various fields, particularly in trade.

They discussed the role of the OIC and exchanged views on how the platform could be used to unite the Ummah. They also discussed Palestine, Lebanon, Kashmir and other issues confronting the Ummah.

Mr Boucher called on Mr Aziz at the Pakistan Embassy and discussed the Pakistan-US relations and the situation in the region, with particular focus on Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.

The prime minister stressed that resolution of lingering global disputes was vital for world peace.

He apprised Mr Boucher of the ongoing Pakistan-India composite dialogue process and Pakistan’s desire to resolve outstanding issues with India peacefully through dialogue. He said the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people.

About relations with other neighbouring countries, the prime minister said Pakistan desired a strong and stable Afghanistan because it was vital for peace in the region.

Saudi Minister for Industries Abdullah Ahmad Zain Ali Raza and Mr Aziz discussed bilateral relations. They also discussed cooperation between private sectors of the two countries.

The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Petroleum Amanullah Jadoon and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Senator Tariq Azeem Khan.

— APP