News
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Pakistan, Germany agree to expand bilateral relations
* Two sides discuss strategic dialogue, defence, economic ties g German FM condoles assassination of Salmaan Taseer
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Germany on Saturday agreed to expand and further strengthen their bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields, including economy, education, defence, infrastructure and energy.
Both the countries have had in-depth discussions on initiating strategic dialogue; enhance investment and economic ties and boost defence cooperation.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who arrived here on Saturday on a two-day visit to Pakistan, discussed security situation on the Afghan border with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Foreign Office after the talks, they said the meeting was focused on strategic dialogue, which was decided by the leaders of two countries in the past. Qureshi said, “We shared concept papers of German-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue.”
He said, “We have good discussion and it will continue as more time is needed to discuss bilateral relations, especially in the economic and defence fields.”
Qureshi thanked the German foreign minister for unprecedented contribution of his government and people for flood-affected people, adding that it was close to $300 million that included $210 million that has been donated by ordinary German people. He also thanked the German government for the support it has given to Pakistan in getting larger share in export to European Union, he said.
Qureshi said, “We discussed potential of investment in Pakistan and economic relations enhancement between the two countries, especially in the area of renewable energy and agriculture sector.”
He said Pakistan is the third largest milk producing country and Germany can help Pakistan to preserve milk and milk products.
The foreign minister said, “We also discussed education as Germany is the third largest country for higher education for the Pakistani students and it has been providing scholarships.”
He said Pakistan has also asked Germany to increase the number of scholarships. He said he also discussed vocational training and setting up new training centers in Pakistan. In defence field, Pakistan urged Germany to liberalise export control policy towards Pakistan so that the country could get export licenses for defence equipment. Pakistan needed defence equipment to enhance its capacity in counter-terrorism.
Qureshi said he also briefed his German counterpart about Pak-Afghan relations and latest situation on Pak-India relations.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Pakistan was facing various challenges, especially after the recent floods. He assured that Germany would continue its engagement and cooperation with Pakistan in all the fields. He expressed condolences over the assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer.
He said, “It showed our engagement is necessary to fight against terrorism. We encourage Pakistan and Afghanistan to closely cooperate on security issues and Germany as a friend will cooperate in this regard.” He said many issues on bilateral agenda, including vocational training to Pakistanis, was discussed in the talks.
Replying to a question, the German foreign minister appreciated the role of Pakistan in the war against terrorism.
Clarifying the statement of German Chancellor about Pakistan during the visit of Indian Prime Minister to Berlin last year, he said the statement was misinterpreted.
He said Germany, according to its official position, “appreciates the role of Pakistan in the war against terrorism.”
About Germany’s military export control regime, Westerwelle said Germany has a strict military export control regime, which was its principled position for all and not country-specific.
About Pakistan-India relations with particular reference to the forthcoming meeting between the foreign secretaries of two countries in Thimphu, he welcomed it and said his country desired close cooperation between Pakistan and India.
To another question, he said Afghanistan issue can only be resolved politically and Germany supported such engagement. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk