Tuesday, June 6 2006 16:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan and ASEAN have agreed to begin talks for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), to boost Islamabad's efforts towards achieving full dialogue partner status with the ten-member regional economic grouping.

Terming his talks with Secretary General ASEAN Ong Keng Yong, who is currently visiting Islamabad as an 'important milestone' Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Riaz Muhammad Khan said the dialogue focussed on trade, investment, industry, environment, tourism, science and technology, drug control and human resources.

Steps to further enhance cooperation in trade and economic ties was also discusses during the talks.

The two sides also agreed to increase cooperation in energy, combating communicable diseases like avian influenza and in other areas.

Addressing a joint press conference here yesterday Khan said Pakistan also proposed a Joint Task Force and a Joint Working Group for cooperation in the agriculture sector, cooperation in satellite remote sensing for the agriculture sector, water and disaster management.

He said Pakistan would place US one million dollars in the Pakistan-ASEAN fund to carry out the feasibility study for the FTA and other projects.

"The deepening of our relations is part of our Vision East Asia policy and we desire to take these ties forward to achieve a full dialogue part nership with ASEAN," Khan said.