News
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Pakistan, Denmark agree to enhance bilateral ties* Both countries vow to unite against menace of terrorism
* Danish FM commends Pakistan for democratic reforms
By Imdad Hussain
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Denmark on Wednesday agreed to further enhance bilateral ties in different fields and cooperation in war against terrorism.
Addressing a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Danish Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal said Pakistan and Denmark had agreed to work together to eliminate the menace of terrorism and enhance the strategic dialogue for regional peace and development. “We agreed that our bilateral relations are stronger than ever,” he told reporters. Sovndal said they had useful talks on common interests between the two countries and it would continue. Praising Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war on terror, he said the country had lost 40,000 civilians and soldiers in this war beside material losses.
The Danish foreign minister appreciated the democratic government’s initiatives for reforms in democratic system. “I commend Pakistan on significant progress in both democratic reforms and strengthening of human rights commitments, such as establishment of human rights commission and legislation to protect women. But I am also concerned about reports on sectarian violence and threats against minorities and human rights activists,” he said.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan and Denmark enjoyed cordial relationship and efforts would continue to further enhance the ties. She said Pakistan wanted long-term engagement with Denmark and had invited investors from the country to invest in the wind energy sector in Pakistan.
She expressed her dissatisfaction over the low volume of bilateral trade, saying the current volume of $250 million was insufficient and efforts were needed to increase it.
To a question about reopening of NATO supply routes to Afghanistan, she said the decision on that issue would be according to aspirations of the people of Pakistan and the recommendations of parliament. Dispelling the impression that Islamabad was only interested in stepping up charges on NATO supplies, the foreign minister said the conditions of Pakistan for reopening the supply routes were very clear. “The US knows what we want,” she said.
To another question, the foreign minister said a trade agreement with respect to Pakistan would be presented in the EU parliament today (Thursday). The Danish foreign minister said he was hopeful that the EU parliament would endorse the trade agreement with Pakistan.
Khar reiterated that Pakistan was facilitator for a peaceful Afghanistan and would continue its efforts for peace in the region.
Earlier, the Danish foreign minister held a meeting with Khar. In the meeting, the two sides discussed the broad range of Pakistan-Denmark relations, including bilateral trade, investment, development assistance, cooperation in the renewable energy sector and human rights. Views were also exchanged on EU-Pakistan relations as well as on the situation in Afghanistan. They underscored the need to intensify political consultation between the two countries and to consider establishing additional institutional mechanisms in that regard.
Khar congratulated Denmark on assuming the rotating presidency of the EU and thanked the country for its continued support for the Package of Autonomous Trade Preferences for Pakistan. She hoped that the package would be finalised and implemented soon.
They also discussed the GSP Plus scheme.
The Danish foreign minister said his country would continue supporting Pakistan’s efforts for inclusion in the scheme. The two sides also agreed on formation of a working group to enhance bilateral trade.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk