ISLAMABAD, June 16: Pakistan and Ukraine have agreed to further bolster relations and identified new areas of cooperation including gas development. The agreement was reached at the second round of bilateral consultations between Pakistan and Ukraine in Kyiv on Thursday during which the two sides focused on further strengthening of political and economic interaction.

Pakistani side was led by Athar Mahmood, additional secretary (Europe) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with Ambassador Major General (Retd) Taj ul Haq and other officials of the ministry. The Ukrainian side was headed by Yuriy Kostenko, deputy foreign minister along with officials from the Ukrainian Foreign Office.

“During talks, new areas of cooperation such as Ukrainian expertise in oil and gas development, storage of liquefied gas, dairy products, automobiles and heavy machinery were identified,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said on Friday. Discussions also focused on consular issues and security related matters including scientific and technological cooperation, it added.

Ukrainian side was briefed on regional and international issues of mutual interest including Kashmir dispute and the on-going composite dialogue with India, situation in Afghanistan, Iran’s nuclear issue, Iraq and Pakistan’s efforts in the fight against terrorism and prevention of drug-trafficking, the FO statement said.—QA