Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday praised Pakistan's impressive economic growth after meeting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here and said this would encourage companies from Norway to invest more in the country.
After 90 minutes of formal talks that included one-on-one meeting, the two prime ministers witnessed signing of agreements on cultural co-operation and on family problems arising out migration between the two states.
"You (Prime Minister Aziz) have been brave and shown willingness to implement the economic reforms and we are now seeing the results," he said while referring to 8.4 percent growth last year achieved by Pakistan.
Stoltenberg said the strong economic growth encouraged Norwegian telecom giant Telenor to invest in Pakistan, which could not have been possible without these reforms.
Prime Minister Aziz told the Norwegian side about the wide-ranging reform process in almost every sector and the steps to ensure good governance and ensure transparency.
On the regional issues, he reiterated Pakistan's strong desire for peace in the region and have good relations with all its neighbours.
He informed the Norwegian prime minister about the ongoing composite dialogue process with India to resolve all outstanding disputes between the two countries.
Aziz emphasised the centrality of resolving the longstanding Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for ensuring lasting peace in the region.
Later talking to reporters with Prime Minister Aziz, Stoltenberg said Norway fully supports Pakistan-India dialogue.
He notes progress in the peace process while referring to Kashmir bus service and opening of crossing points on the Line of Control (LoC) in the wake of the earthquake.
"We think that it (progress) is very important... it is much better that we have dialogue and we have progress," he added.
He said Norway was trying to support the dialogue and promote the peace process between Pakistan and India.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz expressed satisfaction over the formal talks that covered a host of bilateral and regional issues.
He thanked the King and Queen and the government of Norway for supporting Pakistan in the difficult time arising out of the October 8 earthquake.
Norway on Tuesday announced to extend its financial assistance to 78 million dollars for the earthquake victims, after Prime Minister Stoltenberg visited the devastated areas in the NWFP.
The Norwegian prime minister appreciated the response of the Pakistan government in meeting the challenges of the devastation.
He particularly praised the Pakistan Army for their tremendous job in helping the quake-hit people besides lauding the efforts of the international community.
He appealed to the world community to mobilise more resources to help the families devastated by the tragedy.
"I appeal to the world to join Norway in increasing support before winter creates more problems in the quake-affected areas," he added.
Responding to a question, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan has built a system over the years that allows for transparency in the disbursement and use of aid.
BANQUET: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz described a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as a fundamental aspect of the ongoing peace process with India to resolve all outstanding issues between the two South Asian countries.
"Progress has been made in our Composite Dialogue Process (with India) and we hope it will help in promoting peace and co-operation in South Asia," he said at a banquet he hosted in honour of Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
Reiterating desire for peace and stability in the region, he said, Pakistan was seeking to resolve all differences with India.
"A fundamental aspect of this process is a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people," he added.
Aziz also reaffirmed Pakistan's firm commitment in the global fight against terrorism but called for a holistic approach to stamp out the menace by addressing the root causes.
"Pakistan is playing a vital role in the global fight against terrorism," he said.
Aziz said Pakistan is a frontline state in the war on terror and has demonstrated its commitment to eliminate this scourge by breaking the back of the terrorist network in the region.
He said to guarantee the country's security, Pakistan was committed to a policy of minimum credible deterrence and has put in place secure Command and Control Systems to safeguard its strategic assets.
"We have introduced a strict export control regime and are abiding by our international commitments in regard to the export of nuclear materials, equipment and technology," he added.
He highlighted Pakistan's strategic location as gateway to Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East.
He expressed the hope that with the completion of a new port in Gwadar and opening of transport linkages, Pakistan would be able to provide the needed access to the sea to landlocked Central Asian Republics and a convenient transhipment point for the Gulf region.
"Pakistan is, therefore, poised to become the hub of multi-dimensional intra-regional co-operation," he said adding, Pakistan has already embarked on this course with plans to set up gas pipelines from Iran to Pakistan and India as well as from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan-Pakistan and India.
Prime Minister Aziz welcomed the Norwegian Prime Minister, for the first visit by any head of government of the Scandinavian country and said it would be a "milestone in our bilateral relations"
He expressed the hope that discussions between the two sides would contribute towards further strengthening of bilateral ties.
"Relations between Norway and Pakistan are marked by friendship and cordiality and strengthened by a large Pakistani-Norwegian ethnic community which is contributing to the economic development of Norway," he said.
The Prime Minister also appreciated Norwegian official assistance, especially for the development of the country's infrastructure and promotion of education. In his speech, said Norway looked forward to deepen its friendship with Pakistan.
He said protocol signed today with Islamabad would enable the two countries to work together.