President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said that Pakistan attached great value to relations with France and held its leadership in high esteem.
He was talking to a French parliamentary delegation led by Claude Birraux, President of France-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly of Pakistan that called on the president here. A wide range of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting.
President Musharraf briefed the delegation on the progress achieved in instituting sustainable democracy in Pakistan. He also highlighted the measures underway for socio-economic development, particularly in the area of education.
The president mentioned that for the first time in Pakistan's history, thousands of students were enrolled in Ph.D. programmes within and outside the country.
Claude Birraux appreciated the progress achieved by Pakistan in the area of women empowerment. He mentioned that there were more women, in percentage terms, in the National Assembly of Pakistan than French National Assembly.
President Musharraf emphasised that Pakistan's achievement towards economic stability and growth provided a very enabling environment for foreign investment and there was vast scope for enhancing commercial relations.
He also briefed the delegation on the issue of civilian nuclear energy co-operation, in the wake of US-India nuclear energy co-operation agreement. France is an important member of nuclear supplier group.
Views were also exchanged on Afghanistan, Iran nuclear issue and Pakistan's on-going efforts in fight against terrorism. The French delegation appreciated Pakistan's role in fight against terrorism and for promoting stability in Afghanistan.
The president thanked the parliamentary delegation for the substantial French support to relief and reconstruction efforts following the October 8 earthquake and said that he was "deeply touched" by President Chirac's personal interest in prompt sending relief assistance.