Expanding ties: Pakistan signs strategic engagement plan with Italy
The pact envisages assistance in various fields and aims to maintain bilateral cooperation.
The pact envisages assistance in various fields and aims to maintain bilateral cooperation.
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan and Italy signed on Friday a ‘strategic engagement plan’ that would serve as an overarching framework for mutual cooperation between the two countries, according to a foreign ministry statement.
The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and her Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi di Sant’ Agata in Rome.
The pact, Foreign office spokesperson Moazaam Ali Khan said, would cement and expand ties between Islamabad and Rome.
“The agreement which was concluded following consultations between the two foreign ministers represents an important landmark in Pakistan-Italy bilateral relationship,” Khan said.
“It would serve as an overarching framework for mutual cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral relations through regular, institutionalised contacts at the ministerial and foreign secretary level,” he said.
The agreement envisages cooperation in the fields of trade, development, defence, energy, culture, migration and education.
Earlier in the day, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano received Foreign Minister Khar at the Presidency.
They had an exchange of views on matters of bilateral and regional interest.
Thanking the Italian President for Italy’s support to Pakistan for greater market access in the EU and humanitarian assistance during the 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods, the foreign minister underlined the need for continued assistance on this score.
Khar also co-launched the Italian version of the book “Churches of Pakistan” with Foreign Minister Terzi, at the Italian ministry of foreign affairs.
The book is a pictorial collection of churches in Pakistan and highlights the country’s commitment to inter-religious harmony, peace and tolerance, Khar remarked.
During her day-long visit, Khar also addressed a select gathering of journalists, analysts and diplomats at an event organized by Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI). She highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2013.
Pakistan and Italy signed on Friday a ‘strategic engagement plan’ that would serve as an overarching framework for mutual cooperation between the two countries, according to a foreign ministry statement.
The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and her Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi di Sant’ Agata in Rome.
The pact, Foreign office spokesperson Moazaam Ali Khan said, would cement and expand ties between Islamabad and Rome.
“The agreement which was concluded following consultations between the two foreign ministers represents an important landmark in Pakistan-Italy bilateral relationship,” Khan said.
“It would serve as an overarching framework for mutual cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral relations through regular, institutionalised contacts at the ministerial and foreign secretary level,” he said.
The agreement envisages cooperation in the fields of trade, development, defence, energy, culture, migration and education.
Earlier in the day, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano received Foreign Minister Khar at the Presidency.
They had an exchange of views on matters of bilateral and regional interest.
Thanking the Italian President for Italy’s support to Pakistan for greater market access in the EU and humanitarian assistance during the 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods, the foreign minister underlined the need for continued assistance on this score.
Khar also co-launched the Italian version of the book “Churches of Pakistan” with Foreign Minister Terzi, at the Italian ministry of foreign affairs.
The book is a pictorial collection of churches in Pakistan and highlights the country’s commitment to inter-religious harmony, peace and tolerance, Khar remarked.
During her day-long visit, Khar also addressed a select gathering of journalists, analysts and diplomats at an event organized by Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI). She highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2013.