President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday renewed his call for greater market access for Pakistani products in the European Union.During his meeting with Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Development, and Dirk Niebel, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr the President called for their support for GSP plus status for Pakistan in the European Union.The President acknowledged the support of European Union and Germany to Pakistan in pleading its case for having greater market access to EU.He said that Pakistan believes that having more trade opportunities was the only available option to resuscitate and rescue war-torn and flood-afflicted economy of Pakistan.
More trade, rather than aid, would bring much needed investment in Pakistan thus creating jobs for our people, he emphasized.
The President said that the present Government was keen to promote trade and economic activities and it was exploring all possibilities that could help in promotion of trade activities with all parts of the world.
Talking to the visiting delegation, the President congratulated them on 50th anniversary of Pak-German economic cooperation and hoped that their visit would be helpful in deepening and broadening the development cooperation.
The visiting delegation included among others Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Ambassador EU, Dr. Michael Koch, German Ambassador in Pakistan, Dirk Megank, Director EU Development and Cooperation and Johannes Vogel, Member German Parliament.
The Pakistan side included M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, MOS for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Farhanaz Ispahani, MNA, Salman Bashir, Foreign Secretary, and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar besides other officials.
The President appreciated the German assistance to Pakistan that has increased from Euros 34 million (2005-06) to Euros 145 million (2009-10 biennial).
He also appreciated the German assistance worth Euros 19 million and Euros 260 million for IDPs and flood affectees, respectively.
The President also thanked EU for providing assistance of Euros 72 million for IDPs and Euros 200 million for the flood affected people.
Acknowledging the German and EU role for providing economic assistance to the country in the areas of energy efficiency, hydropower, vocational and technical education, health rural development and governance, the President welcomed the signing of Euros 90 million assistance by Germany during 2012 and EU’s agreement for Euros 225 million for over three years.
The President said that Pakistan greatly appreciates help from its friends especially at a time when the struggle against militancy was draining country’s resources.
He said that physically fighting militancy and waging war against the militants was one component of the overall strategy.
Other equally important components were to focus on development of those areas which were worst hit by the scourge of militancy and to create economic opportunities for the people of those area, he added.President Zardari said promoting socio-economic development was the most effective way to curb militancy and to wean away youth falling trap into the hands of militants.
The President said that the lack of economic opportunities and under-development in those areas especially the lack of proper education and employment facilities was the main factor that was exploited by the militants.
“We need to bring about qualitative change in lives of the people especially that of tribal areas so that the militancy is automatically defeated,” he emphasized.
The President said that the Government was conscious of mobilizing domestic resources for overcoming economic difficulties and it was committed to maintain fiscal discipline and promote growth.
Discussing Pak-German bilateral relations and Pak-EU equation, the President noted the presence of sizeable Pakistani community in Europe, especially the Pakistani students in German universities - a tradition pioneered by Allama Iqbal.
He expressed the hope that the positive role played by the Pakistani community would help further strengthening the bilateral equations.
The President said that Pakistan greatly appreciates EU’s efforts to promote stability and development in the region, on one hand, and to streamlining procedures and processes for trade facilitation, on the other.
He expressed the hope that strategic level relationship with the EU would result in further enhancing and promoting cooperation in infrastructure, social and human development particularly the education sector besides environmental management.
Regional situation also came under discussion during the meeting. Discussing regional situation, the President said that Pakistan believes that economic development of the region would bring more stability and peace.
He said that our greater emphasis on promotion and having more trade with India and other countries of the region was clear reflection of our resolve to promote socio-economic development of the region and to change the existing equation into economic driven partnerships.
He said that Pakistan has entered into transit trade agreement with Afghanistan and on June 12, 2011 the modalities for implementation mechanism of the agreement were finalized.
The delegation thanked the President for meeting and assured that they would continue to support Pakistan Government in its pursuit to have greater market access and promotion of its trade with the EU countries. APP
The President said that the present Government was keen to promote trade and economic activities and it was exploring all possibilities that could help in promotion of trade activities with all parts of the world.
Talking to the visiting delegation, the President congratulated them on 50th anniversary of Pak-German economic cooperation and hoped that their visit would be helpful in deepening and broadening the development cooperation.
The visiting delegation included among others Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Ambassador EU, Dr. Michael Koch, German Ambassador in Pakistan, Dirk Megank, Director EU Development and Cooperation and Johannes Vogel, Member German Parliament.
The Pakistan side included M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, MOS for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Farhanaz Ispahani, MNA, Salman Bashir, Foreign Secretary, and Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar besides other officials.
The President appreciated the German assistance to Pakistan that has increased from Euros 34 million (2005-06) to Euros 145 million (2009-10 biennial).
He also appreciated the German assistance worth Euros 19 million and Euros 260 million for IDPs and flood affectees, respectively.
The President also thanked EU for providing assistance of Euros 72 million for IDPs and Euros 200 million for the flood affected people.
Acknowledging the German and EU role for providing economic assistance to the country in the areas of energy efficiency, hydropower, vocational and technical education, health rural development and governance, the President welcomed the signing of Euros 90 million assistance by Germany during 2012 and EU’s agreement for Euros 225 million for over three years.
The President said that Pakistan greatly appreciates help from its friends especially at a time when the struggle against militancy was draining country’s resources.
He said that physically fighting militancy and waging war against the militants was one component of the overall strategy.
Other equally important components were to focus on development of those areas which were worst hit by the scourge of militancy and to create economic opportunities for the people of those area, he added.President Zardari said promoting socio-economic development was the most effective way to curb militancy and to wean away youth falling trap into the hands of militants.
The President said that the lack of economic opportunities and under-development in those areas especially the lack of proper education and employment facilities was the main factor that was exploited by the militants.
“We need to bring about qualitative change in lives of the people especially that of tribal areas so that the militancy is automatically defeated,” he emphasized.
The President said that the Government was conscious of mobilizing domestic resources for overcoming economic difficulties and it was committed to maintain fiscal discipline and promote growth.
Discussing Pak-German bilateral relations and Pak-EU equation, the President noted the presence of sizeable Pakistani community in Europe, especially the Pakistani students in German universities - a tradition pioneered by Allama Iqbal.
He expressed the hope that the positive role played by the Pakistani community would help further strengthening the bilateral equations.
The President said that Pakistan greatly appreciates EU’s efforts to promote stability and development in the region, on one hand, and to streamlining procedures and processes for trade facilitation, on the other.
He expressed the hope that strategic level relationship with the EU would result in further enhancing and promoting cooperation in infrastructure, social and human development particularly the education sector besides environmental management.
Regional situation also came under discussion during the meeting. Discussing regional situation, the President said that Pakistan believes that economic development of the region would bring more stability and peace.
He said that our greater emphasis on promotion and having more trade with India and other countries of the region was clear reflection of our resolve to promote socio-economic development of the region and to change the existing equation into economic driven partnerships.
He said that Pakistan has entered into transit trade agreement with Afghanistan and on June 12, 2011 the modalities for implementation mechanism of the agreement were finalized.
The delegation thanked the President for meeting and assured that they would continue to support Pakistan Government in its pursuit to have greater market access and promotion of its trade with the EU countries. APP
