President Asif Ali Zardari has said that time has arrived to transform existing broad-based
equation with Germany into a broad-based, comprehensive and substantive
partnership based on shared values of democracy, pluralism, economic
liberalism and common interests.
Expressing hope for early finalization of a roadmap for strategic
partnership between Pakistan and Germany,during his meeting with Dr.
Guido Westerwelle, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, here at
Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday president said that Pakistan seeks to further
enhance its relations with Germany, both at the bilateral level as well
as in the EU context.
German Foreign Minister was accompanied by Michael Steiner, Germany’s
special Representative for Afghanistan & Pakistan, Mr. Michael
Loch, Ambassador in Islamabad, Mr. Heiko Thoms, Dr. Philipp Ackermann
and other officials.
Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. M.
Salman Faruqui, Secretary General, Mr. Shahid Kamal, Pak Ambassador in
Germany, Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar and other
senior officials were also present from Pak side.
The President stressed the need for greater economic cooperation
between the two countries saying that Germany was a global economic
power and Pakistan offered great opportunities to investors in economic
projects.
He said that Pakistan was keen to expand its trade relations with
Germany which was the fourth largest trading partner of the country and
proposed the setting up of a Joint Working Group on trade. The President
also called for early establishment of German Chamber of Commerce in
Pakistan which he said would enhance mutual trade.
He said that Bilateral Investment Treaty between Pakistan and Germany
signed in 2009 should serve to promote greater German investment in the
country and that the investors from both the sides need to take benefit
from this development.
Noting German investment with over 40 multinationals operating in the
country, the President said that Pakistan offered great opportunities
in energy, infrastructure, agriculture and construction and German
investors could benefit from the investment friendly policies and
incentives offered by the Government of Pakistan.
He suggested to the Foreign Minister to encourage Germany’s
businessmen and investors to favorably look at opportunities present in
this country.
The President said that greater trade would also enhance
people-to-people contacts and interactions at all levels thus further
strengthening the relationship. He said that regular political
consultations would promote better understanding of perspectives on
issues of mutual interest.
The President appreciated the Government and peoples of Germany for
their generous assistance and support for the calamity hit people of
Pakistan, especially for the flood affected people of Sindh province. He
also appreciated Germany’s development assistance for Pakistan which
has increased three-fold during the last couple of years.
He said that Germany may also consider assisting Pakistan in income
generating projects and improving educational and health facilities in
the tribal areas of the country.
The President said that the Government of Pakistan was conscious of
mobilizing domestic resources for overcoming its economic difficulties
and was committed to maintain fiscal discipline and promote growth.
However, we expect support of the international community in
rehabilitating the militancy and calamity-hit economy.
The President said that the ongoing war against militancy was a long
drawn battle and fighting it militarily was just one component of the
overall strategy. Other equally important components were to focus on
development of those areas which were worst hit by militancy and to
create economic opportunities for the people. Promoting socio-economic
development was the most effective way to curb militancy and to wean
away youth falling trap into the hands of militants, he said.
The President said that lack of economic opportunities,
under-development and education facilities was exploited by the
militants. We need to bring about qualitative change in lives of the
people especially that of tribal areas to defeat militancy, he
emphasized.
The President during meeting also reiterated his call for greater
market access for Pakistani products in the European Union and thanked
the German Government for its support in this regard. Appreciating
Foreign Minister’s personal efforts for securing trade concessions for
Pakistan, the President said that Pakistan looks forward to Germany’s
continued support in the EU Parliament and the WTO for early approval of
the concessional trade package proposed by the European Commission.
He also thanked the German Government for its support and active role at the platform of FoDP.
The President said that as main victim of the extremists mindset,
Pakistan has always supported every effort intended towards containing
militancy. He said that we have abiding interest in peace and stability
in Afghanistan and Pakistan wished that the upcoming Bonn conference
focused on Afghanistan was successful.
Other matters that came under discussion included need to further
enhance mutual Parliamentary exchanges, extending cooperation in the
areas of renewable energy technologies and biotechnology, educational
and cultural cooperation, defence relations and overall regional
situation.
Dr. Guido Westerwelle thanked the President for meeting and assured
German Government’s continued support to the people of Pakistan and
democratic dispensation of the country. SANA
