The SAPM Receives Vice President of East West Institute Ambassador Martin Fleischer

Ambassador Martin Fleischer, Vice President of the East West Institute, called on Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi, today.

Ambassador Fleischer briefed the SAPM about EWI’s “Afghanistan Reconnect Process.” He said that the process was based on the conviction that security and economic developments are interdependent. He stressed the need for building on the complementarities, harmonizing of governmental procedures, and strengthening of infrastructure for reinforcing regional economic integration.

Lauding EWI’s initiative, the SAPM stressed the imperative role of the business community and private sector in expanding Pakistan-Afghanistan economic cooperation and to help advance the shared goals of regional connectivity and economic integration.

The SAPM reiterated that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was personally engaged with the Afghan leadership to rebuild mutual trust and understanding to promote a cooperative relationship. He stressed that the renewed political will in both countries to expand economic relations would also promote regional economic integration, offering dividends to all participating countries, including Afghanistan. He informed the EWI’s delegation about the measures taken by Pakistan to enhance bilateral trade with Afghanistan and to facilitate Afghan transit trade and regional connectivity.

Ambassador Fleischer acknowledged Pakistan’s significant contribution in strengthening the Afghan economy and expressed satisfaction on deepening of political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Ambassador Fleischer is in Islamabad on EWI’s Advocacy and Outreach Mission to Pakistan.

Islamabad
20 March 2015

80/2015