SUNDAY JUNE 09: Germany to provide 93.5 million euros to support social sector

ISLAMABAD: German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle Saturday said his government will provide 93.5 million euros to support the newly elected government of Pakistan in the areas of energy, health, education and good governance. He was speaking at a joint press stakeout along with Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz at the Foreign Office after holding bilateral talks.
"Germany will further commit 93.5 million euros...as new development assistance for 2013-14 to support the new beginning of Pakistan especially in the areas of energy, health, education and good governance," he said, adding that the German government was keen to send a German business delegation to Pakistan to explore the means of bilateral trade. He expressed his government's readiness to support economic and social reforms agenda of the new government in Pakistan.
The German Foreign Minister had nothing to say in response to a question about US drone attacks in tribal belt of Pakistan except terming it sensitive both for US and Pakistan and terming the issue is of sensitive nature as for Pak-US relation are concerned. He hoped the announcement of President Obama about review of US policy on drones provides an opportunity to start fresh dialogue on the issue.
However, he expressed sympathy with the families of the three US soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan. Guido Westerwelle said Germany is already Pakistan's most important trading partner in Europe and there is great potential to go far beyond, adding his country would like to deepen and broaden comprehensive strategic dialogue with Pakistan.
He said the new German assistance for Pakistan is aimed at supporting the new beginning by the government, especially in areas of energy‚ health‚ education and good governance. During the talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and at the Foreign Office‚ which he described as positive and constructive, Guido Westerwelle said the two sides agreed to hold an investment conference in Germany to encourage German investment and set up German-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce.
Responding to a question, he said his country wants to avoid nuclear race in South Asia and supports efforts for global non-proliferation. Speaking on the occasion, Sartaj Aziz said economic co-operation was on top of the agenda of talks with the German Foreign Minister, adding the Prime Minister explained to the German Foreign Minister his economic vision and opportunities after the democratic transition in the country.
He said a 60-member trade delegation would visit Germany in October this year and hoped that investment conference in Germany would create opportunities for investors to make investment in Pakistan. He also thanked Germany for its support to Pakistan in its quest to seek GSP Plus status from the EU that would allow additional access for Pakistani products in the European Union markets.
The advisor said the two sides also discussed regional issues and possibilities and prospects after withdrawal of Nato from Afghanistan next year. Replying to a question‚ he said during election campaign had been talking about all options to deal with the issue of terrorism as military option alone is no solution, adding there is possibility of dialogue with those elements who accept Pakistan's constitution.
He said that issue was on top of the agenda of the government and hopefully a national strategy would be evolved soon with the concurrence of all stakeholders. To another question, he said the Prime Minister told the German Minister that drone attacks were violation of Pakistan's sovereignty, adding that the issue will also be taken up with the US Secretary of State who will visit Pakistan later this month.
Responding to another question regarding Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, the advisor to the prime minister said it is our priority project and Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has already stated that the project would be pursued and we will examine its implementation schedule. About the grant of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India‚ he said it is linked to certain prerequisites and conditionalities like non-tariff barriers by India, adding that the issue would come up as we formulate our agenda for high level talks with India. He said the issue would now be part of the broader composite dialogue agenda with India‚ which would be faster and effective. Earlier, the advisor to the Prime Minister welcomed the German Foreign Minister for his third visit to Pakistan and also thanked his country's support to in every field.