ISLAMABAD : Pakistan and France held bilateral political consultations in Islamabad Tuesday, and discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to bilateral relations, the regional situation, the European Union, the United Nations and the evolving global scenario.
They also discussed Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani's forthcoming visit to France.The Pakistan side was led by Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and the French side by their Foreign Ministry's Secretary General Mr. Pierre Sellal.Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir stated that the two countries had a strong partnership in diverse areas based on mutual interest and mutual respect. He underlined that immense opportunities existed between the two countries for promoting cooperation in the fields of energy, infrastructure development, agricultural, education and science and technology. The visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to France would help inject further substance into the bilateral relationship. The French Secretary General said that the French leadership was keenly looking forward to Prime Minister Gilani's visit to France. France strongly believed in a long-term relationship with Pakistan which was anchored in solidarity, friendship, and partnership. The two sides also discussed expanding bilateral trade and investment, as well as people-to-people contacts and parliamentary exchanges.The two sides discussed in detail activities relating to Pakistan-EU relations. Foreign Secretary Bashir appreciated France's role in expanding Pakistan-EU relations and its support to greater market access to Pakistan in EU markets.
