TOKYO: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Monday that Pakitan and Japan have agreed to further expand their bilateral cooperation in various fields, including investment, trade, and Information Technology.
In a joint press conference along with his Japanese counterpart Hayashi Yoshimasa in Tokyo, he said that both countries agreed to enhance collaboration in mutually beneficial areas such as tourism, agriculture, human resource development, and people-to-people contacts.
He said that both sides agreed to explore new avenues for working together on targeted programs in solarization, desalination, water purification, and rebuilding of housing structures in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan.
Japanese language assesment tests
Both sides also agreed to conduct Japanese language skill assessment tests in Pakistan to facilitate the export of a skilled workforce.
Bilawal Bhutto said that they discussed several joint ventures by Japanese enterprises in Pakistan.
Highlighting the importance of bilateral ties, he said that Pakistan and Japan are old friends, sharing special bonds based on deep-rooted linkages that go far in history and time.
He added that people of Pakistan had deep sentiments of warmth and affection for Japan and its citizens. Pakistan attaches high significance to its ties with Japan as both countries have stood with each other in times of need.
The foreign minister also expressed gratitude to his Japanese counterpart for hosting him and his delegation.