The Foreign Minister of Switzerland Mrs Michelin Calmy-Rey along with a delegation met the NWFP Chief Secretary Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi here on Friday. Additional Chief Secretary and secretaries of Local Government, Labour and Environment Departments were also present on the occasion.
The Swiss Foreign Minister and the Chief Secretary discussed matters of mutual importance with special reference to SDC assisted projects in agriculture, forestry and woman empowerment programmes in the province.
The minister said that the 40 years of co-operation between Pakistan and her government was a fruitful experience saying that the bilateral co-operation between the two countries was based on mutual respect and assured that her government would continue partnership in the development projects in the province.
The chief secretary thanked the Swiss government for the assistance it has extended for the relief activities in quake affected areas of Pakistan and for the development projects in the province. He said that the Swiss government co-operation in various sectors was vital and longstanding.
He also thanked the Swiss foreign minister for paying visit to the quake-hit areas where she personally witnessed the situation and the huge task of reconstruction ahead of our government. He hoped that the visit of the distinguished guest to the province would further strengthen bilateral relations.
Later the Swiss delegation had a lunch with the Chief Secretary at the Civil Officers Mess.