By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and Belarus on Tuesday called for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

In a joint statement, issued following bilateral meeting between the visiting Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, the two sides also reaffirmed their support to the righ of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state formula.

"The Parties reaffirmed their support to the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state formula, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly.

18. The two leaders underscored the paramount importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts and constructive dialogue. They highlighted that the ongoing conflict has far-reaching consequences, not only for the region, but also for global stability and security. Both leaders called on all parties involved to prioritize negotiations and peaceful means to address all underlying issues, reaffirming their commitment to supporting initiatives that foster lasting peace and stability in the region," it said.

Following the joint statement 

1. The President of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko paid an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from 25 to 27 November 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. During the visit, the two leaders comprehensively reviewed the full range of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to deepening friendly ties between the two countries across political, trade, economic, cultural, social, and other areas.

2. This year marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Belarus. Both sides acknowledged that their relationship had grown into a durable, broad-based, and comprehensive partnership of increasing significance. Pakistan congratulated Belarus on its full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with Belarus noting Pakistan's early support for its accession. The Prime Minister appreciated the active participation of the Prime Minister of Belarus in the SCO Council of Heads of Governments meeting, hosted by Pakistan in October 2024. The two sides agreed to work closely within this important forum to further strengthen their cooperation.

3. During their meeting, the two leaders emphasized the importance of advancing political dialogue and strengthening inter-parliamentary relations. They also focused on expanding trade and economic cooperation, adopting a collaborative approach to regional economic integration and connectivity and enhancing the legal framework to facilitate bilateral collaboration.

4. Recognizing Belarus's advanced agricultural manufacturing capabilities and the needs of Pakistan's agriculture-based economy, the two sides agreed to promote the establishment of joint ventures in the agriculture and industrial sectors, including for the production of high-tech and large-scale agricultural machinery.

5. Both sides also agreed to collaborate in sales, manufacturing and servicing of vehicles, including through partnerships between private and public organizations of both countries. This initiative aims to leverage the strengths of both countries in automotive manufacturing and technology, boosting industrial growth and innovation.

6. Both sides also agreed to cooperate in expanding the network of sales and services of Belarusian agricultural machinery in various Pakistani cities, including through partnerships with Pakistani private and public organizations. Additionally, they considered initiating educational programs in sphere of agricultural machines manufacturing.

7. During the visit, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), in collaboration with the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BelCCI), organized a Belarus-Pakistan Business Forum. The event saw participation from over thirty Belarusian companies and nearly one hundred Pakistani counterparts from various sectors, fostering valuable interactions and potential business opportunities.

8. The two leaders expressed their satisfaction at the successful organization of the forum. They also agreed to encourage both government and private sectors to collaborate and organize series of seminars on "Doing Business with Each Other" aiming to reduce trade barriers and facilitate market access.

9. To enhance trade linkages, both sides welcomed signing of an MOU between the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and Beltamozhservice and agreed to encourage other stakeholders, including logistics companies, to develop optimal maritime and land routes for efficiently delivering goods to each other's markets. This initiative aims to streamline transportation, reduce costs, and improve the overall efficiency of trade between the two countries.

10. Recognizing the immense potential for expanding collaboration in science and technology, and noting the progress made over the past decade, both sides agreed to establish stronger ties between their scientific communities. The sides plan to focus on joint scientific and technical projects under the umbrella of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology. During the visit, two agreements in this domain were signed to formalize and promote this enhanced collaboration.

11. Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral trade in pharmaceutical products, medical devices, health-related items, and over-the-counter products. Both parties agreed to develop strategies aimed at improving trade facilitation by identifying and addressing trade barriers, particularly regulatory challenges, to streamline market access. Additionally, the sides committed to exploring and implementing policies that enhance mutual market access for these sectors, ensuring compliance with national regulations, while promoting growth and cooperation.

12. The two sides underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of education and culture, including the promotion of cultural exchange programs, boosting people-to-people contacts through art, music, literature, and other cultural activities. Both countries also committed themselves to enhancing academic collaboration, facilitating student exchanges, and supporting joint research projects between universities in the two countries.

13. During the visit, the two sides signed fifteen important agreements and MOUs, including the "Roadmap for Comprehensive Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Belarus for the period 2025-2027." This roadmap focuses on enhancing bilateral economic cooperation through various initiatives, such as high-level meetings, timely meetings of inter-governmental commissions, and promoting collaboration in key sectors of mutual interest. Other significant documents are:

* Cooperation in E-Commerce
* Cooperation in Science and Technology
* Cooperation in the field of Accreditation
* Cooperation in Auditing field
* Cooperation in the Exchange of Financial Intelligence Related to Money Laundering and terrorism financing
* Exchange of Customs Statistics Data of Bilateral Trade
* Cooperation in Science and Technology
* Cooperation in International Road Transport
* Cooperation in the field of Environment & Climate Change
* Cooperation in Disaster Management
* Cooperation the field of Vocational Education
* Extradition Treaty
* Cooperation in the field of Health Services
* Cooperation in Halal Trade

14. These arrangements are expected to open new prospects for the continued development of bilateral relations, based on the principles of mutually beneficial friendship.

15. The two sides also discussed important regional and international issues. The Pakistani side briefed the Belarusian side on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Both sides underlined the need for resolution of all international disputes through peaceful means and in accordance with the UN Charter and UN Security Council resolutions.

16. The two State leaders expressed deep concern over the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, which has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis and significant civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. The Parties called for an immediate, unconditional and permanent cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, strikes on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic, ensuring uninterrupted and safe delivery of humanitarian aid, restraint against the background of the threat of expanding the zone of confrontation, stressed the need to intensify their efforts to achieve peace, stability and security for the entire region.

17. The Parties reaffirmed their support to the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the basis of the two-state formula, in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly.

18. The two leaders underscored the paramount importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for diplomatic efforts and constructive dialogue. They highlighted that the ongoing conflict has far-reaching consequences, not only for the region, but also for global stability and security. Both leaders called on all parties involved to prioritize negotiations and peaceful means to address all underlying issues, reaffirming their commitment to supporting initiatives that foster lasting peace and stability in the region.

19. President Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the people of Pakistan, for their warm hospitality and invited the Prime Minister to visit Belarus at a convenient time, which was gratefully accepted by the Prime Minister.