Pakistan and Germany will sign a roadmap for Pakistan-Germany strategic dialogue, providing for a multi-sectoral co-operation framework between the two countries. The agreement will be signed during Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar's visit to Germany on September 3-5 at the invitation of her German counterpart, Guido Westerwelle.
The Foreign Office's spokesperson said that during her visit, the Foreign Minister would hold intensive talks on bilateral relations, besides exploring ways and means to strengthen the ties to the mutual benefit of the two countries. They would also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. Soon after arrival in Berlin, the Foreign Minister will deliver a keynote address at the German Council on Foreign Relations on 'Changing Regional and Global Environment: Pakistan's Perspective'.
The Foreign Minister will also meet Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Bundestag Ruprecht Polenz, German Defence Minister Dr Thomas de Maiziere. She will also have an interactive session with the German representatives of business community, intelligentsia and NGOs organised by the Körber Foundation. She will also meet members of the Pakistan community at the Pakistan Embassy.
Germany is Pakistan's largest trading partner in Europe and also a major source of investment in Pakistan. Over 70,000 Pakistanis live in that country and there are more than 2,200 students in German universities. Last year, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle came to Pakistan on a two-day visit. He discussed with his counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi security situation on the Afghan border and agreed to expand and strengthen their bilateral relations and co-operation in various fields, including economy, education, defence, infrastructure and energy.