ISLAMABAD, Feb 24: Education Minister Zobaida Jalal has spoken of close relations between Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics (CARs), saying there is complete identity of views on issues of security and combating terrorism.

She was speaking at the conclusion of twelfth course, organized by the Foreign Service Academy for the diplomats of Azerbaijan and the Turkish Republic of Cyprus here on Tuesday.

Mid-career African diplomats also attended the course. The minister said Pakistan and Central Asian Republics enjoyed cordial relations and shared perceptions on major global and regional issues.

She underlined the importance of increasing trade volume with the Central Asian Republics, which at present did not reflect the warmth of bilateral relations. She said Pakistan on its part had offered the facilities of its seaports to the landlocked countries of Central Asia for trade with South Asia, Far East and beyond. -PPI