YEKATERINBURG (Russia): Pakistan and Tajikistan on Monday vowed to expand cooperation in energy sector, besides widening ties in other areas of mutual interest.

President Asif Ali Zardari and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahman, who met here ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit here, reviewed the relations between the two countries spanning over a decade and stressed the need to enhance them into more meaningful ties.

The two leaders discussed the regional situation, particularly the threat by extremists and terrorists and the ways to counter it through increased cooperation. President Zardari apprised his Tajik counterpart about the ongoing fight in Pakistan for the elimination of terrorists from parts of the NWFP province and the success achieved in this regard. He said despite serious threats, Pakistan would pursue such elements till their elimination.

Tajik President Rahman appreciated Pakistan for bravely facing the challenges, despite serious threats. He said both the countries can have increased cooperation to counter terrorism.

The two leaders also focussed on having greater cooperation in energy sector. The two sides also agreed to cooperate in the field of explorations, extraction and processing of gas and oil products. Pakistan expressed its interest to benefit from Tajikistan’s experience in hydropower potentials.

President of Tajikistan said Pakistan can prove as a gateway of Central Asia for trade and commerce. He said this would also promote Pak-Tajik bilateral economic relations.

The two sides noted that both the governments have exchanged high-level of diplomatic and trade delegations. The leaders agreed to enhance the scope of around 20 agreements, protocols and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed between the two countries for cooperation in energy, communications, insurance, investments and industry, air transport, banking and financial, agricultural and food industry, transport and roads, science and technology, education, health, tourism and culture.