Acting President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further boosting bilateral cooperation with the Czech Republic in the areas of mutual interest.

He said both countries needed to explore greater cooperation in the areas of trade, renewable energy, business and investment, health, parliamentary cooperation, education and people-to-people linkages.

The acting President expressed these views while talking to the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Pakistan, Mr Ladislav Steinhubel, who called on him, here at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Welcoming the Ambassador, the acting President said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with the Czech Republic, and both countries enjoyed long-standing bilateral ties and held common views at various international fora.

He said Czech businesses should visit Pakistan to explore investment opportunities, adding that bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Czech Republic needed to be increased to its fullest potential.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani emphasised the need to further deepen bilateral engagement in the areas of economy, culture, and people-to-people contacts.

He also urged the need for easing the visa regime for Pakistani students wanting to study in Czech universities to enhance educational cooperation between the two countries.

He also appreciated the support of the Czech Republic for Pakistan’s candidature for the non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2025-26.

The Ambassador said that his country wanted to expand cooperation with Pakistan in trade, business, health and energy sectors. He expressed interest in exporting Pakistani mangoes to the Czech Republic.

The Ambassador informed that the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic would visit Islamabad in May 2025. He also offered condolences over the loss of lives in the recent terrorist attack on Jaffar Express.

The acting President said Pakistan looked forward to welcoming the Czech Prime Minister and expressed confidence that the visit would help in further enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.