-German FM expresses willingness to invest more in Pakistan
-Decides to provide 15 million COVID-19 Vaccine doses
-FM Qureshi welcomes new trade plan
DM Monitoring
BERLIN, (Germany): Pakistan, Germany on Monday pleged to further boost bilateral ties and explore more opportunities in joint projects. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at a joint press conference in Berlin agreed to strengthen bilateral ties with particular focus on increasing trade and investments.
The German foreign minister termed the visit of FM Qureshi a “good opportunity” for launch of new German initiatives and projects in Pakistan. FM Heiko Maas expressed satisfaction over the interest of 35 German companies ready to make investment in Pakistan and said the encouraging trend would help “tap into immense potential”.
He mentioned a “constructive discussion” held with FM Qureshi on diverse matters and added that ‘Germany wanted to build up cooperation with Pakistan”.
Foreign Minister Qureshi welcomed the plans of new German investment in Pakistan and highlighted that the country’s shift in policy from geo-politics to geo-economics could turn out to be a “great opportunity for German companies”.
He said the incentives announced by the Pakistan government for foreign investors would make the country a hub of regional trade. FM Qureshi said Pakistan wanted to “deepen, broaden and transform” its economic relations with Germany.
He said Pakistan could benefit from Germany in technology transfer and the projects relating to supply and production of electric vehicles in line with the government’s policy of safe and green climate.
He lauded Germany’s supportive role in helping Pakistan achieve the GSP Plus status in European Union and for not allowing the “politicizing of Financial
Action Task Force (FATF)”.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s effort at the FATF forum by Germany is also commendable, he added.
Qureshi expressed gratitude to Germany for supplying 50 million doses of COVID-19 by May and mentioned that Pakistan as a population of 220 million population would require more doses in future. He said German Chancellor Angela Merkel did a great job in the development of Germany, adding that Prime Minister was keen to visit Germany. FM Qureshi mentioned that his meeting with his German counterpart took up the ways to overcome delays in visa issuance. He said the positive role of Pakistani diaspora in Germany also came under discussion with an agreement to legally sort out the issue of immigrants.
On Afghanistan, he said Germany played an important role in stability in Afghanistan and vowed that Pakistan would remain in touch on the issue at every forum, may it the Istanbul Peace Process or Doha forum. On ties with India, he said Pakistan wanted to live in peace with all its neighbours including India. “Pakistan believes in holding a meaningful dialogue with India, but the first step must be taken by India,” he stressed.
“Pakistan will be receptive and forthcoming,” he stressed. German Foreign Minister Maas on security situation in Afghanistan acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution towards restoration of peace in its neighbouring country and for hosting three million Afghan refugees.
He lauded “Pakistan’s active voice” for the peace process in Afghanistan at various platforms. On relationship between Pakistan and India, he termed the ceasefire agreement at the borders a “step in right direction”. The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Germany lead their respective delegations at a meeting in Berlin, Germany. The two foreign ministers earlier led delegation-level talks encompassing issues related to trade, energy, visa strategy and peace in Afghanistan.
Moreover, Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said Pakistan is looking forward to enhancing its bilateral trade and investment with Germany. This he said while addressing a joint news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas after delegation-level talks in Berlin.
Qureshi said there are great opportunities for Germany to invest in Pakistan in various areas, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, information technology and tourism. He apprised his German counterpart about the shift in Pakistan’s policy from geo-politics to geo-economics, the government’s focus on economic diplomacy and the new incentives being offered to investors.
On the regional security situation, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said India will have to take the first step to create an enabling and conducive environment for talks with Pakistan after India’s action about Kashmir on August 5, 2019. He said Pakistan wants to have peaceful relations with all the countries, including India. He said all issues can be resolved through dialogue. Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked Germany for supporting Pakistan at FATF and also its support to grant EU GSP Plus status to Pakistan. He also thanked Germany for providing fifteen million anti-Covid-19 doses to Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, the German Foreign Minister said the two sides held a constructive discussion on enhancing bilateral trade and investment. He said Pakistan is of great importance for Germany. The German Foreign Minister said Pakistan has played great efforts for peaceful solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. He said any situation in Afghanistan influences intensively Pakistan.
The German foreign minister termed the visit of FM Qureshi a “good opportunity” for the launch of new German initiatives and projects in Pakistan. Also, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced on Monday Pakistan will receive 15 million doses of a Covid-19 vaccine under COVAX. “Following my meeting with Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas, I am happy to announce that Pakistan will receive 15 million doses of the #COVID vaccine under COVAX, with a commitment for these to be delivered by May,” FM Qureshi, who is in Berlin on a two -day official visit, tweeted.
Addressing a joint news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas after delegation-level talks, the foreign minister thanked Germany for pledging 15 million doses of vaccine for Pakistan. He said he had an “excellent” meeting with his German counterpart. “Our talks focused on strengthening our bilateral and political cooperation, focusing on enhancing collaboration in renewable energy, agriculture, health, education and climate change,” he pointed out.
