President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said there is a need to enhance economic relations between Pakistan and Switzerland and called for greater trade access to Pakistani goods in the Swiss market. He stated this during a meeting with Swiss Foreign Minister, Madam Micheiline Calmy-Rey, who is also the Vice President of the Swiss Confederation.
Musharraf said Pakistan is a rising economy with a great potential and Swiss investors could invest in infrastructure, information technology and other important areas in Pakistan. Issues relating to bilateral and multilateral were discussed during the meeting.
The President thanked Foreign Minister Calmy-Rey for Switzerland''s commitment of 40 million dollar for reconstruction and rehabilitation following the October 8 earthquake.
He appreciated the technical co-operation extended by Swiss Development Co-operation Agency in various projects in the Frontier province. President apprised the Foreign Minister about Pakistan''s efforts in fighting terrorism and maintained that a holistic approach by the international community would be required to defeat the menace of terrorism that would combine the political and diplomatic efforts with development co-operation aimed at reforming and strengthening institutions of civil society and economy.
He emphasised that in this era of globalisation and connectivity, through technological means, it was indeed imperative that there should be greater cultural harmony, religious tolerance and respect for each others beliefs and religious symbols. President Musharraf underlined the need for promoting interfaith harmony.
The Swiss Foreign Minister agreed with the President''s views and said that maintaining religious and cultural harmony was essential for having a progressive society.
She said that the resolution of the Palestinian conflict was essential to bring peace and stability in Middle East and stressed that the issues of dis-empowerment and economic exclusion are generating extremism within the societies.
The Swiss Foreign Minister lauded the role played by Pakistan in international fight against terrorism as well as toward promoting stability in Afghanistan. Switzerland, she said, is keen to expand relations with Pakistan, especially in commercial and development Corporation. In this regard she briefed the President on the projects being undertaken by the Swiss Development Co-operation Agency in Pakistan.
The President appreciated the role of SDC in Pakistan and maintained that it has undertaken many constructive projects in Pakistan and was happy to note that Swiss Foreign Minister visit coincided with the 40th anniversary of Pakistan and SDC Corporation.