Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has said that Pakistan wishes good relations with the US and neighbouring countries on the basis of mutual respect and equality. He said Afghanistan is a neighbour and peaceful Afghanistan is in favour of Pakistan and entire region.
The Speaker expressed these views while talking to the Ambassador of Germany Martin Kobler and participants of 2018 course for senior officials of the Federal Academy of Security Policy of Germany in separate meetings here at the Parliament House on Tuesday.
Sadiq said Pakistan and Germany enjoy cordial and co-operative relations which need to be further strengthened through substantive and long-term parliamentary and economic cooperation. He also emphasised the need for a regular interaction between political leadership, parliamentarians and people of both the countries that would take the existing relations to new heights.
He said, "Pakistan is potential country for investment and enhancing trade cooperation between the two countries will strengthen impetus of bilateral economic relations." While answering to the question with respect to stability in Afghanistan, Sadiq said Pakistan wants to strengthen relations with Afghanistan and work together for peace and prosperity in the region.
"Both the countries are victims of terrorism and suffered a lot from the menace of extremism. Joint strategy and closer cooperation to address the root causes of terrorism are needed between two neighbours," he added. Exchanging views on global and regional issues, the Speaker said Pakistan has a keen interest in promoting regional stability and is making consistent efforts for regional peace and economic stability.
The Speaker asserted that Germany remains one of the vocal and staunch supporters of Pakistan and political engagement on both sides of the country will bring the nations closer and pave ways for inter-parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation.
He also briefed the visit of the high-powered Pakistani parliamentary delegation to Afghanistan and shared the details of the meetings with Afghan leadership. The Speaker also informed about the objectives of the First Speakers Conference held in Dec 2017, where speakers from Russia, Turkey, Iran, China and Afghanistan were in attendance and they discussed the ways as to how to tackle the menace of terrorism in the region and connect with one another for prosperity and development.
Answering to another question, Sadiq said, "We want better bilateral relations with India without any compromise on the dignity and honour of Pakistan." Earlier, Martin Kobler acknowledged the views of the Speaker and said that his government also attaches immense importance to its relations with Pakistan and wants to further cement them through cooperation in diverse fields. He agreed that frequent interaction between business communities and parliamentarians would be beneficial for both the nations.
He also highlighted that Germany as Europe's largest economy is keen to maintain intensive and friendly relations with Pakistan. He further said that Germany would continue to support Pakistan at the regional as well as international level in its efforts towards achieving democratic and economic development.