Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani wants the Norwegian government to encourage its major companies in the oil and gas, petroleum, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers as well as iron and steel sectors to invest in Pakistan independently or through joint ventures.
Talking to Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who called on Gilani along with a delegation here on Wednesday, he underscored the need for expansion of bilateral trade to attain its true potential while welcoming Norwegian company Telenor's plan to invest $2 billion in Pakistan over the next five years.
According to a statement Gilani also urged Norway's proactive role in the FoDP to help Pakistan undertake reconstruction and development of the areas cleared from militants in Fata and NWFP, on fast track basis.
While appreciating the Norwegian assistance in building 350 community schools in Fata and for improvement of basic education in NWFP, the Prime Minister underlined the need for reconstructing physical and social infrastructure in those areas and provision of job opportunity to the people there on immediate basis, underlining friendly countries like Norway's important role in this regard.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan considers Norway as an important friend and partner and is keen to enhance and further strengthen the cordial bilateral ties in all areas of mutual interests. He hoped that the annual bilateral consultations under the framework of bilateral co-operation would be held on a regular basis to make progress towards strengthening of political, trade and economic cooperation.
People-to-people contacts particularly two-way exchanges of parliamentary delegations and regular high-level visits need to be encouraged to give impetus to further cementing the relations, he added. While dilating on Pakistan's role as a frontline state in the war against terrorism, the Prime Minister said the armed forces of Pakistan had achieved remarkable success by clearing vast areas of the Malakand, Bajaur and Fata from the militants in a short time.
These valiant successes were nonetheless attained at great human and economic costs. In spite of these losses Pakistan remained resolute in clearing its soil from the menace of terror. The Prime Minister termed resolution of long outstanding issues like Kashmir with India, a prerequisite for long lasting and durable peace in the region which will enable Pakistan to single-mindedly focus on quelling militancy on its western borders.
He stressed that Pakistan was completely sincere in pursuing cordial relations with all its neighbours, particularly with India. He said peace, security and stability of Pakistan was linked to peace in Afghanistan. Gahr Store stated though he was visiting Pakistan for the third time, it was a matter of pleasure for him to meet a civilian chief executive for the first time, during these visits.
He assured the Prime Minister of his country's complete support for institutionalisation of democracy in Pakistan. He said Norway had become part of the FoDP process wholeheartedly and would continue to assist Pakistan in every possible way bilaterally as well as through the FoDP and other international mechanisms. Norwegian FM lauded the role of Pakistan armed forces as well as Law Enforcement Agencies in war against terrorism. He termed Pakistan as the most pivotal country in the war against terror and for restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
While assuring the Prime Minister of his government's support in providing greater market access to Pakistani products and higher investment by Norwegian companies, Gahr Store said Pakistani Diaspora in Norway would also be encouraged to facilitate strengthening of economic co-operation between the two countries. Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan Robert Kvile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Sughra Imam, Rab Nawaz Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway and Foreign Secretary were also present in the meeting.
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