ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: Pakistan and Eritrea on Saturday identified several areas for cooperation and agreed to work towards meaningful trade ties after a meeting between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President Isaias Afwerki.

Pakistan offered Eritrea its expertise in a number of areas, including health, education, agriculture, micro-finance and banking.

Eritrea would provide its requirements to Pakistan so that the two countries may work to enhance their bilateral cooperation.

An exclusive meeting between the two leaders here at the Prime Minister House followed talks between their delegations to discuss further expansion of bilateral ties in all areas.

The two sides described the talks as "fruitful" and stressed that the strong political relations also need to be reflected in their economic ties. They felt there was a wide potential for growth in trade and economic ties.

Pakistan also offered training to the Eritrean diplomats at its Foreign Service Academy, and ten scholarships, besides assistance in the development of its police and infrastructure.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz gave an overview of Pakistan's economy and its relations with its neighbours. He thanked the government of Eritrea for its support on the Kashmir issue and hoped that Pakistan and India would be able to resolve all outstanding disputes peacefully in the on-going composite dialogue.

The two sides also discussed the UN Reforms. Eritrea, like Pakistan, supports the Plan-B for UN reforms, which allows any country to influence international relations with no concentration of power on any country.

ROOT CAUSES OF TERRORISM: Pakistan and Eritrea agreed on the need of a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism, calling for firm measures to address the root causes of the menace.

In a joint communique issued at the end of the three-day visit by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, the two countries also condemned terrorism and expressed firm commitment in fighting international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They reaffirmed their intention to cooperate closely on the issue of terrorism at bilateral and international forums with a single voice.

Pakistan called for the early settlement of the Eritrea-Ethiopia boundary dispute in the light of the UNSC resolutions and Algiers Accord 2000, the statement said.

Both the countries stressed the need to move towards a just and equitable global political and economic order based on the sovereign equality of all states, democratic values, supremacy of the UN Charter and international law.

Pakistan appreciated the role of the United Nations Peace-keeping Mission between Eritrea and Ethiopia and expressed hope that the Mission would continue its work until peace between the two countries is realized.