BEIJING, Nov 11: Pakistan will closely work with Euro-Asia Economic Forum to develop economic ties at bilateral and regional levels, said Mukhtar Ahmed, adviser to the prime minister on energy.

He said while speaking at the first meeting of the forum, held on Friday in Xian, capital city of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. Pakistan, he said was engaged in promoting comprehensive partnership with China and other regional countries to improve the socio-economic life of their people.

Delegates from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, India, Iran, Japan, the Republic of Korea as well as China also attended the meeting that discussed topics concerning energy, tourism and finance cooperation in this region.

The forum was co-hosted by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the State Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). Sources told APP that Pakistan’s side during the meeting put forth a number of proposals for achieving the common goals.

This was the first time for the SCO to cooperate with other international organization in holding large-scale economic seminar in China. Pakistan was also represented at the meeting by Ambassador Salman Bashir.

During the forum, parallel sessions on tourism cooperation, energy cooperation, financial cooperation and a roundtable meeting of governors and mayors were also held.

The participants hoped that the nations of the Euro-Asia Continent to take real action to push for the building of the economic integration in the region. They underlined the need of greater cooperation building a transportation network of highways, railways and pipelines, jointly explore mineral resources.

Only through joint efforts and effective cooperation, can we advance the process of economic integration in the Euro-Asia Continent and also, achieve sustainable social and economic development in individual countries,” they added.

At the opening ceremony, Tajik Prime Minister Akil Akilov said the forum has vital significance for member nations’ economic and cultural co-operation.

“We expect this forum to help the countries in this region and for constructive dialogue to seek the best path for economic and trade co-operation,” he added.

Chinese leader Wu Bangguo said cooperation in the development of energy, tourism, transportation and environmental protection should be Europe and Asia’s joint priority.—APP