President General Pervez Musharraf's visit to the Netherlands would strengthen bilateral relations and boost economic and commercial ties.
The Pakistan's envoy to the Netherlands, Mustafa Kamal Kazi, said on Saturday that President's visit will strengthen Pakistan's trade links with the European Union (EU) as the Dutch country currently holds its presidency.
Speaking ahead of the President's visit beginning from Sunday, he described the visit as 'very significant', as it will be first-ever visit of any Pakistani head of the government to this country.
"The visit is very significant in the context of the bilateral ties as well as Pakistan's relations with the EU", said the Pak envoy.
Mustafa Kamal Kazi said President Musharraf is due to arrive on Sunday at the start of his two-day visit to the Dutch country on the second-leg of his two-week long visit that will also take him to Italy, adding during his stay the President will exchange views with Queen Beatrix, top Dutch leadership, and other political leaders on issues, including fight against terrorism, Pak-India dialogue, reconstruction in Afghanistan, situation in Iraq, and UN Reforms.
An Agreement on Social Security Benefits will be signed during the President's visit. He will also address a Round Table at the Dutch Senate, he said , adding the Netherlands has been very supportive of Pakistan within the EU, and is the largest trading partner of Pakistan within the EU.
First Lady Begum Sehba Musharraf, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister of State for IT and Telecom Ali Asjad Malhi and Minister of State for Tourism Ms Sumaira Malik are accompanying the President.
There is a vibrant Pakistan community of around 35,000 in the Netherlands. The President will address the community at a reception, and share with them economic and political development in the country, and the ongoing peace dialogue between Pakistan and India to resolve Kashmir and other outstanding issues.
Besides his official engagements, interaction with the Dutch businessmen figures prominently in President's agenda for the visit to the Netherlands, and the programme includes a dinner with some 60 top Dutch businessmen.