Pakistan, Germany strengthen bilateral relations

Westerwelle, Qureshi focus on Strategic Dialogue, cooperation in education, defence, infrastructure, energy.

ISLAMABAD: In talks with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi  on Saturday, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle strategic dialogue and agreed to expand, further strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields. These include economy, education, defence, infrastructure, energy.The two sides had in depth talks on initiating Strategic Dialogue; enhance investment, economic ties, boost defence cooperation, security situation on Afghan-Pak border. Westerwelle arrived here Saturday on two-day visit.

The two sides had in depth talks on initiating Strategic Dialogue; enhance investment, economic ties, boost defence cooperation, security situation on Afghan-Pak border. Westerwelle arrived here Saturday on two-day visit.

He thanked German government for support it gave to Pakistan in getting larger share in export to European Union. “We discussed potential of investment in Pakistan and economic ties enhancement especially in renewable energy and agriculture. Pakistan is third largest milk producing country and Germany can help us to preserve milk and milk products.”

Bilateral Trade Investment Treaty signed in December 2009 with Germany opened new chapter in economic ties and helped re-enforce business relations. Presently, Germany is 8th largest investor in Pakistan. As one of founding members of FoDP, Germany pledged Euro 115 million at Tokyo Donors Conference (Euro 80 million provided under Bilateral Development Cooperation).

Westerwelle landed in Lahore due to fog, poor visibility in Islamabad and travelled to the capital later in the evening for talks with Qureshi.