MALE, Nov 22: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday sought to renew bilateral ties between Pakistan and the Maldives and stressed the need for improving economic, trade and cultural ties between the two countries.

He was speaking at a banquet hosted in the evening by the president of the Maldives in his honour. In his address at the banquet Mr Aziz said: "I have come here to renew the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the Maldives.

We enjoy excellent political relations and are desirous of further strengthening our economic, commercial and cultural ties." Mr. Aziz on his first visit to the Male as Prime Minister pledged bilateral cooperation in a number of areas including defence and education.

"Pakistan would be happy to extend export credits to the Maldives. We are prepared to offer scholarships to Maldivian students for studies in various disciplines in Pakistan. We can collaborate in the scientific and technological fields too. We are also prepared to assist the Maldives in training of civil servants as well as defence and security personnel.

He assured the President that in Pakistan Maldives will always find a reliable friend and partner. "We will continue to broaden and deepen the areas of cooperation," he stated.

The Prime Minister who is in Maldives in his capacity as the Saarc Chairman thanked the Maldivian President for his cooperation and support to Pakistan's efforts to reinvigorate regional cooperation.

"As an elder statesman, Mr. President you have with great sagacity guided the evolution of Saarc into an effective instrument for leveraging the collective potential of South Asia for progress and development," the Prime Minister said.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the Maldives government to promote peace and stability and for economic development of the Maldives. "Pakistan supports the unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the Maldives," he said.

Referring to the achievements of the Saarc Summit in Islamabad, he said new ground was broken to enhance inter-regional cooperation. He pointed out that in principle, agreement was reached to establish dialogue partnership with other regional organizations and imported extra-regional states.

"We are happy to note that under Pakistan's chairmanship, Saarc was able to get observer status at the United Nations," the Prime Minister said. He underlined that the challenge was to implement the decisions taken at the Islamabad Summit. Prime Minister also thanked his host for the warmth and hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

ARRIVAL: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Begum Rukhsana Aziz arrived in the Maldives on wet Monday afternoon by a special aircraft. They were received at the airport by the President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the first lady.