Belgian Defence Minister Andre Flahaut on Saturday assured that his country would continue to help Pakistan in the rehabilitation work being done in the quake-affected areas.
Talking to newsmen after visiting quake-hit areas along with Pakistan's Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal, he said Pakistan and Belgium have good relations particularly in the field of defence.
The Belgian Defence Minister brought two planes loaded with 20 tonnes of relief items for the schools being set up by Unicef in AJK and NWFP.
Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal received Andre Flahaut on Saturday morning. The relief goods were handed over to Deputy Representative, Unicef Pakistan, Ronal van Dijik at the Chaklala air base in the presence of Belgian ambassador in Pakistan Patrick Renault and Unicef representatives.
The relief goods were donated by the Unicef National Committee of Belgium for the earthquake affected children and will be used in the tent-schools being set up by Unicef. The Belgian ministry of defence is bearing the cost of airfreight to transport these relief goods to Pakistan.
The Belgium minister told newsmen he came to Pakistan to express sympathies and solidarity with government and the people who suffered due to the devastated quake. He described the quake as one of the worst natural devastation and urged the world community to show more generosity and response to help Pakistan.
He said Belgium has been extending co-operation to Pakistan through Nato and added that people in the affected areas need more help. He said although Belgium is a small country, but it could help in promoting relations of Pakistan and European countries.
To a question, he said both the countries could promote their relations in the field of defence through co-operation in military training. The defence minister of Belgium appreciating the role of Pakistan in the war against terrorism said there is a need to cooperate with the world community in this war.
He said Belgium has been playing an important role in reconstruction and promotion of peace in Afghanistan and added that despite the reduction in the forces by America, Belgium as part of the Nato would continue to play its due role there.
Rao Sikandar Iqbal thanked the Belgium defence minister for bringing the relief goods. He said he discussed various bilateral issues to enhance defence co-operation with his counterpart from Belgium to promote this co-operation.
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