Call on the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs by the Ambassador of the European Union Delegation in Pakistan

The newly appointed Ambassador of the European Union Delegation in Pakistan, H.E. Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain, made his first courtesy call on the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs (SAPM), Syed Tariq Fatemi, today. Ambassador Cautain presented his credentials to the President of Pakistan on 3 November 2015.

The Special Assistant initiated the meeting by strongly condemning the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and conveyed his deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims, as well as the Government and people of France. He reiterated that the Government and people of Pakistan firmly stood by the people of France in their efforts to defeat the common threat posed by terrorism.

The Special Assistant highlighted the numerous steps being taken by the Government to further strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the country, as well as to promote human rights and rights of the minorities. He also briefed the Ambassador about the success of the operation Zarb-e-Azb

The SAPM and the EU Ambassador exchanged views on the EU-Pakistan relations, during which the SAPM expressed the hope that the GSP plus review of Pakistan in early 2016 would be positive.

Ambassador Cautain acknowledged the huge sacrifices being made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and welcomed Government of Pakistan’s resolute and concerted efforts against this common threat.

Other issues of bilateral and regional importance also came under discussion during the meeting.

Islamabad
16 November 2015

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