Opening Remarks by the Adviser to the PM on NS & FA at the Joint Press Briefing with German Foreign Minister

I am delighted to welcome my German colleague, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Pakistan. We have just concluded a very productive meeting. Our consultations encompassed bilateral relations as well as an exchange of views on regional and global issues, specially the situation in Afghanistan and the stalemate in India-Pakistan dialogue process.

Germany occupies a special place in Pakistan’s foreign policy. We enjoy traditionally warm and friendly relations. For several years now, Germany has been one of Pakistan’s largest trading partner globally, and the largest in the Europe. Our current trade volume is approaching US$ 3 billion annually but has the potential of increasing exponentially. Pakistan would welcome German investments in various sectors of its economy, specially in engineering and renewable energy.

We also discussed collaboration in the fields of parliamentary exchanges, capacity building, vocational training, education and cultural cooperation.

Pakistan and Germany have very close cooperation on global political and economic issues in different international fora. We discussed today the continuing and emerging challenges that must be addressed through sustained and well coordinated policies and actions.

The scourge of terrorism continues to haunt the world. Pakistan is still paying a heavy price in fighting this menace. I am confident that the ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb, which has broken the back of terrorists, will soon reach its logical conclusion by eradicating this menace from our soil. The international community needs to join hands to develop a coherent strategy to counter violent extremism.

Pakistan believes in having good relations with all its neighbours on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect. Development and prosperity of the region and its people would remain elusive without peace and inter-connectivity.

I am confident that future holds great promise for further strengthening of our bilateral relations. This was clearly echoed in our discussions. We keenly look forward to welcoming Chancellor Merkel to Pakistan at an early date.

Islamabad
31st August, 2015

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