President Zardari meets German President Steinmeier in Berlin, agrees to expand cooperation

BERLIN: President Asif Ali Zardari met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, where the need to broaden bilateral cooperation and partnership between Pakistan and Germany was stressed. The two held a one-on-one meeting, followed by delegation-level talks.

According to the Anadolu Agency, the German president welcomed President Zardari with military honours on Friday. According to the President’s House in Pakistan, a guard of honour was also presented to President Zardari. He is on a three-day visit to Germany from 22 to 24 October at Steinmeier’s invitation. During the visit, he will also meet Germany’s senior leadership and business representatives.

The Express Tribune, citing a statement from the President’s House, reported that President Zardari stressed the need to make use of the existing potential for political, economic and defence cooperation. He spoke of giving special attention to trade, emerging technologies, climate security, skills development and people-to-people and cultural ties. He said Pakistan regards Germany as an important European partner and wants to expand cooperation in areas including scientific development, health, education, trade and investment. President Zardari also invited the German president to visit Pakistan.

President Zardari thanked Germany for acknowledging Pakistan’s sincere mediation role in the dispute between the United States and Iran. He said Pakistan supports dialogue for regional and global peace and stability.

Steinmeier welcomed the visit on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. He expressed hope that the two countries would step up efforts in trade, educational partnership and technology. He praised Pakistan’s diplomatic role in resolving regional and global conflicts. According to The Express Tribune, he also offered condolences over the deaths of children when a school roof collapsed in Peshawar. Challenges related to Afghanistan were also discussed at the meeting.

According to the German president’s spokesperson, Cerstin Gammelin, the two presidents discussed expanding trade and investment and the situation in the region. According to Anadolu, Germany is Pakistan’s largest trading partner in the European Union. This is the first visit to Germany by a Pakistani head of state in 23 years. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1951.