Pakistan and China will deepen their cooperation in energy after the two countries reached a consensus on 19 projects at the first meeting on Monday and Tuesday of the Joint Energy Working Group (JEWG), established last year during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Pakistan.

Syed Naveed Qamar, Pakistani Minister of Water and Power and Chairman of the Joint Energy Working Group (JEWG)?speaks at?a press conference for the first?JEWG?meeting in Beijing, August 2, 2010.?[China.org.cn]

Syed Naveed Qamar, Pakistani Minister of Water and Power and JEWG Chairman, made the remarks at a press conference for the meeting in Beijing Tuesday.

The meeting had gotten off to a good start, Qamar said, adding that energy cooperation in hydropower, nuclear energy, oil and gas will benefit both countries.

"If there is only one country that will help Pakistan solve our energy shortages, it is China," Qamar told reporters at a dinner reception following?the press conference.

Qamar also invited Chinese companies and investors to participate in various initiatives launched by the Pakistani government to develop its energy sector.

The Pakistani government will also provide help to facilitate Chinese investments in the energy sector, Qamar added.?