ISLAMABAD, October 29: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmoud Qureshi has stressed the need for expanding trade and economic relations between Pakistan and the European Union.
Talking to an EU parliamentary delegation in Islamabad on Monday, he highlighted the importance of enhanced parliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and the European countries.
The delegation hailed continuation of democratic process in Pakistan
and its achievements in the war on terror as well as the economic and political fronts.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi received a delegation of the European Parliament’s South Asia Delegation, led by Ms. Jean Lambert, Chairperson, at the Foreign Office.
The Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction at the positive growth in Pakistan-EU relations as well as increase in Parliamentary exchanges. He stressed upon the need for enhancing trade and economic cooperation, in particular to take full benefit of GSP Plus Scheme and building linkages through cultural and educational exchanges and people to people contacts. The two sides also discussed global and regional issues of mutual interests. The Foreign Minister briefed MEPs on Pakistan’s approach towards promoting regional peace and prosperity. He also highlighted recent wave of grave violations of human rights by the Indian security forces in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and urged the EU Parliament to take a public position on UN Human Rights Commissioner’s report on Jammu and Kashmir. The EU delegation acknowledged important progress made by Pakistan in political and economic spheres, especially in democracy, counterterrorism and human rights domains. The delegation assured continued cooperation with the government in its future endeavors. -DNA
