News
Monday, January 10, 2011
India must resume composite dialogue with Pakistan: PM
* Gilani seeks Germany’s help in creating jobs for FATA
* German FM says Pakistan most important country in war against terror
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that India should resume composite dialogue with Pakistan to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, peacefully and expeditiously.
He was talking to Dr Guido Westerwelle, the deputy chancellor and foreign minister of Germany, who called on him along with members of his delegation at the PM’s House on Sunday.
He stated that Pakistan believed that its relations with India should not be made hostage to one terror incident.
Referring to the forthcoming meeting between the foreign secretaries of the two countries in Bhutan and visit of Pakistan’s foreign minister to India, the prime minister hoped that India would respond positively to his government’s sincere efforts for resumption of meaningful dialogue.
Dr Westerwelle termed Pakistan as the most important country in the global fight against terrorism and a trusted friend of Germany.
He assured the prime minister that Germany would stand by Pakistan and appreciated its unparallel sacrifices in human and economic terms in rooting out the menace of terrorism.
The prime minister conveyed his appreciation to the German government for clarifying the negative comments attributed to Chancellor Angela Merkel about Pakistan during her recent visit to India.
He thanked Germany for donations for the relief and rehabilitation of Pakistan’s flood affected people. He appreciated doubling of economic development in Pakistan and called for consideration of financing projects to improve education, healthcare, skill development and income generation opportunities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). He praised Germany’s role in passage of Trade Concession Package for Pakistan by the EU and continued support for its passage through the WTO.
Expressing his satisfaction on growing exports of Pakistan to Germany, the prime minister underlined the need for greater market access by other countries to create job opportunities, particularly in the militancy affected areas of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Gilani acknowledged the German government’s support for scholarships for Pakistani students in higher studies and hoped that the number would increase. He called for relaxation of control on export of defence equipment by the German government, particularly for the defence supplies required to enhance the capacity of Pakistan’s armed forces to fight the war against terror.
The premier assured him of his government’s determination to continue its campaign against terrorism and extremism and in helping the Afghan government for restoration of peace and stability.
Dr Westerwelle stated the German government and people were aware of the economic difficulties, especially after the recent floods and impact of the world recession. Germany, along with the UK, had taken the initiative for providing greater market access to Pakistan in the EU and would continue to pursue Pakistan’s case, he added.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk