President Zardari to visit Germany from Oct 22-24: FO

Will meet German president, senior leadership and businessmen to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation

President Asif Ali Zardari is scheduled to visit Germany from October 22 to 24 to discuss bilateral relations, economic ties, and trade cooperation, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.

“The President will hold meetings with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany as well as senior leadership and business leaders to discuss Pakistan-Germany bilateral relations, with a particular focus on economic and trade cooperation,” the FO said in a post on X.

The FO said that the visit is part of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Germany and holds "special significance" in the context of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “It reflects the deep commitment of both countries to further strengthening the Partnership,” it added.

Pakistan and Germany established diplomatic relations in 1951 and are marking the 75th anniversary of their ties this year. Germany is Pakistan’s largest trading partner in the European Union, with both countries seeking to expand trade, investment and business cooperation.

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In August, German Consul General Thomas E Schultze highlighted the longstanding relationship and said economic cooperation between the two countries dated back to 1922, when Siemens opened its first office in Lahore.

Economic cooperation has remained a key focus of bilateral engagement. In October, the German ambassador called for greater trade diversification, investment and business-to-business cooperation, saying German companies were seeking to diversify their supply chains and establish new partnerships.

Pakistani textile, engineering, pharmaceutical and information technology businesses have been identified as potential areas for closer collaboration.

The two countries have also continued development cooperation.

In May, Pakistan and Germany signed a €40.5 million technical cooperation agreement covering nine new development projects, with support from Germany’s development bank, KfW. The projects formed part of wider cooperation on climate change, the energy transition and social vulnerability.