Danish Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal called on President Asif Ali Zardari here on Wednesday and discussed bilateral relations, enhancing trade and economic interaction, war against militants and overall regional situation. He was accompanied by Ambassador Uffe Wolffhechel, Lars Gert Lose, Ms Sandra Jensen Landi, Lars Bredal and Ms Birgitte Hansen Rojle.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Sughra Imam, Special Secretary to the President Major Haroon Rashid (Retd), Acting Foreign Secretary Ms Fouzia Sana, Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs Asif Durrani and other high ranking officials were also present during the meeting from Pak-side.
President Zardari, while felicitating Denmark on assuming the rotating Presidency of the European Council for the 7th time, said that Pakistan wishes to build a broad-based substantive and long-term equation with Denmark. The President said that the people of Pakistan value Danish assistance especially at the times of natural disasters in the country; however, he added that there was need to further promote mutual interactions at all the levels to strengthen the existing friendly relationship.
The President said that the two countries need to work together in translating their friendly equation to boost trade and economic interaction. The existing bilateral trade volume does not commensurate with the available potential, the President remarked. The President while emphasizing upon the need to institutionalise the economic interaction proposed that a joint working group on economic cooperation may be established to promote trade and economic activities.
The President said that the success of various Danish companies running profitable business ventures in Pakistan should serve to encourage other investors to make their investments in Pakistan. He said that energy generation and transmission, infrastructure development, agriculture, food processing and industrial manufacturing were some of the important areas where the Danish businessmen could invest and get benefits. We would like to benefit from the Danish expertise in the field of electricity generation through wind energy, the President said.
He also thanked the Danish government for its support to Pakistan in getting Autonomous Trade Package and inclusion of Pakistan in the GSP plus scheme. He expressed the hope that the Autonomous Trade Package would be finalized and implemented soon. The President said that greater trade access in the EU markets would enable Pakistan to support its economy and continue it struggle against the militants in an effective manner.
On Pakistan-EU relations, the President said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its partnership with the European Union. He said that the recent parliamentary review of our foreign Policy also underscored the need for strengthening relationship with EU and enhancing it in all the spheres. He added that summit process between Pakistan and EU was important for consolidating strategic relationship into an institutionalised long-term partnership. He said that we look forward to visit of the presidents of the council and the commission for the third Pak-EU Summit in 2013.
The President highlighted huge sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against militants and said that Pakistan has an abiding interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. He said that we would continue to support every effort being made for the peace and stability in the neighbouring country. Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal assured Danish government continued support to the people of Pakistan in strengthening of democracy and stabilising their economy.-PR