Pakistan wishes more economic linkages with Germany: FM Qureshi

Pakistan wants to have more economic linkages with Germany for enhancement of bilateral trade and investment, said Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday.

Qureshi made these comments while addressing a joint news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas after delegation-level talks in Berlin. He left for Berlin on Sunday on a two-day visit to Germany.

During the address, Qureshi spoke regarding opportunities for Germany to invest in Pakistan in various areas, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, information technology and tourism.

He further apprised the German diplomat about the shift in Pakistan's policy from geo-politics to geo-economics, the government's focus on economic diplomacy and the new incentives being offered to investors.

Read: FM Qureshi leaves for Germany on two-day visit

Referring to the regional security situation, Shah Mahmood said India will have to take the first step to create an enabling and conducive environment for talks with Pakistan following the revocation of the special status of occupied Kashmir on August 5, 2019.

He said Pakistan wants to have peaceful relations with all the countries, including India, adding that all issues can be resolved through dialogue.

In addition, the top diplomat stated that the objectives of both Pakistan and Germany regarding Afghanistan are identical, wanting peace, stability and progress in the war-torn country.

He added that the European nation had an important role to play in stabilising the situation in the region and hoped to maintain communications on the Afghan issue.

The foreign minister also thanked Germany, for supporting Pakistan at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and, for its help in achieving 'EU GSP Plus' status.

He also thanked Germany for providing fifteen million anti-Covid-19 doses to Pakistan.

FM Qureshi said his visit comes when Pakistan and Germany are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Both countries are planning to undertake a number of activities in this context.

Read more: German firms urged to explore Pakistani market

The two countries have been collaborating closely on regional matters and at the multilateral fora. Germany is the largest trading partner of Pakistan in the EU and is also home to over 100,000 Pakistani diasporas.

The visit is expected to help enhance collaboration in various sectors and the scope of relations between the two countries. It is the first visit by any Pakistani foreign minister to the country since 2012.

Speaking on the occasion, the German foreign minister said the two sides held a constructive discussion on enhancing bilateral trade and investment. He said Pakistan is of great importance for Germany.

The German diplomat also said Pakistan has played great efforts for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. He said any situation in Afghanistan intensively influences Pakistan.