A wide range of bilateral issues were discussed with a view to enhance cooperation during a meeting between Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar and his Polish counterpart Witold Waszezykowski, says an official statement. The two sides exchanged views on many regional and international issues of mutual interests, including Pakistan-India relations, Afghanistan, Iran nuclear issue, India-US civilian nuclear cooperation. Bakhtyar emphasized the need for increased bilateral exchanges. He looked forward to the proposed visits of the Polish Prime Minister, Defence Minister and Foreign Minister to Pakistan later this year. He stressed that there was vast economic potential that could be tapped by Pakistan and Poland. In this regard he highlighted the need for establishing a Joint Business Forum between the Chambers of Commerce and Industries of the two countries. Bakhtyar said that the two countries should have joint ventures in the fields of oil, gas and mining sectors. He appreciated the joint collaboration for production of tractors. The Polish Deputy Foreign Minister appreciated Pakistan's impressive economic development and expressed the desire to enhance bilateral economic cooperation. He said that Polish companies were already operating in Pakistan and more were interested in investing in Pakistan. Both sides agreed to build upon the institutional framework to expand cooperation. Minister of State proposed the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission in this regard. Bakhtyar highlighted the need to enhance cooperation in education and proposed signing of a MoU between the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and its Polish Counterpart. He proposed that the Foreign Service Academies of the two countries could have an exchange program.
