Pakistan and France on Thursday agreed on co-operation in security, trade and economic partnership in a bid to further broaden their bilateral relationship. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani concluded his three-day official visit with the signing of a Declaration on Security Co-operation along with his French counterpart Francois Fillon.
Minister of State for Foreign and Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar inked the agreement on Trade and Economic Partnership. The two declarations were signed after the meeting of Prime Minister Gilani with the French Prime Minister at his official residence. A Joint Statement issued simultaneously from Islamabad and Paris stated that during the talks the leaders of the two countries agreed on enhancing security co-operation, intelligence sharing, defence co-operation, economic assistance, trade and co-operation against terrorism.
Prime Minister Gilani told APP that his talks with the French leadership were "very positive" and said his visit helped dispel the negative impression, created by the Western media against Pakistan. He said now it was the duty of the Pakistani media to tell the world that Pakistan was a peace loving country and desired stability in the region.
Gilani stressed that the negative perceptions about Pakistan need to be corrected and the world must realise the sacrifices of the people and security forces of the country and help build its capacity to counter extremism and terrorism. Prime Minister Fillon seconded the statement of President Nicholas Sarkozy who on Wednesday in his talks with Prime Minister Gilani appreciated his political acumen and described him as "an anchor of democracy." He assured Pakistan of his country's full support in this regard.
The Prime Minister in his talks with the French leadership and its business community urged them to invest in Pakistan and initiate joint ventures between their private sectors so that economic activity is generated. Prime Minister Gilani who was here at the invitation of the French leadership met President Nicholas Sarkozy, Prime Minister Francois Fillon, and President of the Senate Gerard Larcher, besides meeting Foreign Minister Alain Juppe and Defence Minister Gerard Longuet.
The Joint Declaration said the two countries had in-depth discussions with the French leadership on bilateral, regional and global issues. The two sides also announced setting up of an administrating committee to facilitate the establishment of Pakistan-France Joint Business Council and facilitate and strengthen bilateral economic and commercial partnership.
The Joint Business Council was set up following Prime Minister Gilani's address to the French Business Confederation (MEDEF). Pakistan and France value their partnership, which is characterised by close co-ordination not only at the bilateral level but also in the context of the European Union. France is the second largest trading partner of Pakistan.