ONBOARD PRESIDENT'S AIRCRAFT, March 8: Describing his visit to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as successful, President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday it paved the way for improved economic and trade ties by consolidating the existing political relationship with the Central Asian states.

"I am satisfied with the outcome of the visit as it has consolidated our political and diplomatic ties which will bolster our trade and economic cooperation to our mutual benefit," he told accompanying media team on way back home at the end of a four-day visit.

The president said the leaders of both countries had expressed a keen desire to gain trade access to world markets through Pakistani seaports of Gwadar and Karachi. He envisioned a much greater economic cooperation between Pakistan and land-locked Central Asia. Geography makes it natural for them to have transit trade through Pakistan.

The government, he said, is fully conscious of the vital geo-strategic importance of the country. "We are fully focused on making use of our central location and constructing ports and putting in place a network of infrastructure," he said.

During the visit, the president said, he highlighted the fact that Pakistan and Central Asian states were bound in historical, cultural and traditional ties and they must expand their trade relations.

About his visit to Uzbekistan, he said, President Islam Karimov expressed deep appreciation for Pakistan's efforts against terrorism and now they had a clear understanding of 'our resolve to fight out the menace'.

Pakistan, he said, would not allow anyone to use its territory for terrorist activities against any other country, including Uzbekistan. The president said he developed a personal rapport with leaders of the two countries, which would be greatly helpful in boosting future relationship with them.

Responding to a question, President Musharraf said his strategy of enlightened moderation has gained international acceptance and the leadership of the Central Asian states expressed their support for his policy as a way forward to address the long-standing problems facing the Muslim world.

He said the world had also been responsive to his call for settlement of lingering political disputes affecting the Muslim world.

On making the Economic Cooperation Organization an effective body, he said all member countries should strive for the objective and increase regional trade for the collective well-being of all.

ACCORDS SIGNED: Earlier in Bishkek, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan signed on Tuesday a series of agreements to expand bilateral ties and expressed unanimity of views on all key regional and international issues.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf and President Askar Akayev told a press conference after formal talks that both countries would move forward to an era of enhanced relationship, particularly in the sphere of trade and economy.

President Musharraf said his visit would open a new era of stronger and closer relations in political, economic and trade ties. "Our meeting was marked by unanimity of views on bilateral, regional and international issues and a keen mutual desire to consolidate our relationship," he added.

The two leaders stressed on strengthening their ties by developing communication links, encouraging private sector and easing the visa regime between the two countries. President Musharraf said the Pakistani seaports at Karachi and Gwadar would offer Kyrgyzstan trade access to world wide markets.

He said Pakistan was seeking to purchase electricity from Kyrgyzstan to meet its energy needs due to industrialization in the country. The two countries, he added, would establish a working group to look into the technical and financial aspects for providing electricity to Pakistan.

During the delegation level talks, the two sides discussed the fight against terrorism and need for the resolution of Palestine and Kashmir disputes. The two leaders recognized that Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan were bound in trade, cultural and historical links and hoped this would give more substance to their bilateral relations in all spheres.

The two countries signed three accords - an agreement to have a visa-free regime for the holders of diplomatic and official passports, agreement for cooperation between the ministries of education of the two countries and agreement for cooperation between the Associated Press of Pakistan and its Kyrgyz counterpart, the KABAR news agency. -APP