Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said he is likely to meet US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul where he is going to represent Pakistan. The Prime Minister was talking to Dr Michael Koch, outgoing German ambassador who paid a farewell call on him.
Gilani said the Parliament is working on new terms of engagements of the partnership between the United States and Pakistan, as for any policy the ownership and support of public is important. While congratulating the outgoing German ambassador for his appointment as Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Gilani said Pakistan will continue to provide all support towards peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.
He reiterated Pakistan's stance to encourage Afghan-led and Afghan own reconciliation process. The Prime Minister said he has made an appeal to all factions in Afghanistan on the request of Afghan President for greater reconciliation.
The Prime Minister maintained that Pakistan always supported the 3-D policy (Development, Dialogue and Deterrence). The world has now recognised its importance and efforts are under way to evolve a political solution of the menace of extremism and militancy. The Prime Minister recalled the telethon conducted by none other than the German Chancellor herself when the historic devastating floods hit Pakistan in 2010 to raise funds for assistance of flood victims. He also recollected his visit to Germany during which both the countries had very useful progress on a number of bilaterally beneficial areas.
The Prime Minister appreciated the German ambassador's role in fostering bilateral relations between Pakistan and Germany. He said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Germany and would like to transform this relation into strategic partnership. Our bilateral relations are based on shared values of democracy, pluralism, respect for human rights and economic liberalism, he added.
The Prime Minister appreciated the German development assistance for Pakistan which increased from euro 34 million for 2006-07 to euro 145.35 million for period 2009-10. He said Pakistan desires to enhance scope of economic relations with Germany which is fifth largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and fourth largest trading partner globally and largest trading partner among the EU countries. The Prime Minister also thanked the continued German support for GSP Plus as well as for commencement of negotiations for Pakistan-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The ambassador thanked the Prime Minister for the support, hospitality and warmth which was extended to him during his stay in Pakistan. He reiterated his continued work towards progress and prosperity of the entire region during his new assignment as German Special Representative. He said Pakistan's role is of paramount importance. The ambassador also agreed with the Prime Minister that military solution is not permanent, while political reconciliation and dialogue can yield long-lasting effects. The Prime Minister asked the ambassador to pay his best regards to the German Chancellor. He reiterated invitation to the German Chancellor to visit Pakistan.-PR
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