Pakistan is pursuing the European countries for similar treatment in trade regime, which were being provided to other South Asian countries. In this regard, Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan met Dr Bernd Pfaffenbach, State Secretary of German Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology in Berlin on Wednesday.
Both exchanged views on bilateral trade and issues related to free trade agreement (FTA), says a press release. Commerce Minister apprised his German counterpart of the existing EU's preferential treatment to most of the countries in the South Asian region, asking for the market access on the same condition being offered to other regional players.
The two sides also recalled joint EU-Pakistan ministerial meeting in Pakistan last month and formation of a sub-group on trade, the press release added. Humayun Akhtar informed Dr Bernd Pfaffenbach that the FTA would be mutually beneficial to both sides.
The German state secretary said, at present, Germany was focusing on multilateralism but his government could review bilateral arrangements, EU has in the international system.
He assured the minister that Germany would continue to support Pakistan to further improve bilateral co-operation in various domains. Both sides agreed that EU Commission's study group would review the situation in South Asia in the light of trade arrangements in the region and evaluate its impact on Pakistan.
Pakistan ambassador to Germany Asif Ezdi, senior officials of the embassy and German Ministry of Economy and Technology were also present during the meeting.