Pakistan and Germany have agreed to enhance cooperation in diverse areas, particularly in trade and economic cooperation. This understanding was expressed during the third round of strategic dialogue between the two countries held in Berlin and agreed to enhance cooperation between the two countries in all areas. The two countries also agreed that greater effort was needed in countering extremism and terrorism, which has become a global menace.
Germany is Pakistan’s largest trading partner among European states. In the ranking of EU’s main export partners, Pakistan takes 48th place, making up 0.2 % of EU exports. (China 2nd/8.5 %, India 9th/2.3 %). In the ranking of EU’s main import partners, Pakistan takes 51st place, making up 0.2 % of EU imports (China 1st/16.2 %, India 9th/2.1 %).
For Pakistan, the EU is the 4th most important import partner, accounting for 10.4 % of total imports after China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE Pakistan’s imports from EU mainly comprise mechanical and electrical machinery as well as chemical and pharmaceutical products.
The European Community takes 21.2 % of Pakistan’s total exports Textiles & Clothing make up about 75 % of Pakistan’s exports to the EU, the remaining are leather goods and various other products.
Therefore, at the third round of strategic dialogue both the countries held detailed discussions on issues of mutual interest, including economic cooperation, defence, trade, investment, culture, education, security and strategic stability.
The two sides also reviewed in detail the regional situation including Afghanistan, the Middle East and latest developments in the European Union. It was agreed that greater effort was needed in countering extremism and terrorism, which has become a global menace.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry led the Pakistani delegation, while the German side was led by State Secretary Markus Ederer and both the sides held detailed discussions on issues of mutual interest, including economic cooperation, defence, trade, investment, culture, education, security and strategic stability. The two sides also reviewed in detail the regional situation including Afghanistan, the Middle East and latest developments in the EU.
Chaudhry apprised his counterpart of the latest situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir and urged the international community to play its role in calling on India to put an end to blatant human rights violations in the Valley. The Foreign Secretary, also called on Dr. Christoph Heusgen, Foreign and Security Policy Advisor to German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He addressed a round table event of German political foundations at the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation and briefed them on Pakistan’s foreign policy, particularly its relations with Germany and the EU. Chaudhry also attended a gathering of Pakistani community representatives residing in Germany arranged by the Pakistan Embassy in Berlin. He responded to their queries and issued directions to the Embassy to continue serving the community with dedication and commitment.
In 2012, both the countries held first multi-sectoral consultations within the framework of strategic dialogue in Berlin and two sides discussed in detail the state of bilateral relations, reaffirming their mutual commitment to further deepening and diversifying the bilateral relationship to their mutual benefit.
The two sides also reviewed in detail the regional situation including Afghanistan, the Middle East and latest developments in the European Union. It was agreed that greater effort was needed in countering extremism and terrorism, which has become a global menace.
Both the countries also agreed to explore possibilities for high-level bilateral visits during 2013 and beyond. A Roadmap for Germany-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue was also signed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle during the former’s official visit to Berlin in September 2012.
Later in September 2014, Germany said that political consultations with Pakistan constituted the next step towards strategic dialogue between the two countries. “German Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Ederer’s visit forms the next step of the strategic dialogue between Germany and Pakistan,” the German embassy said in a statement on the second round of annual bilateral political consultations.
“Germany and Pakistan are very good partners in many fields. Our strategic dialogue will help…intensify these relations,” Dr Ederer said after his meetings in Islamabad. Germany, he said, was ready to help Pakistan “address the root causes and symptoms of the human suffering through annual floods”.
Earlier during the consultations, a foreign ministry spokesperson said: “The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and looked into various possibilities of extending cooperation in political, economic, cultural and educational fields. It was agreed that the two countries will focus on areas of, inter-alia, trade facilitation, investment promotion, vocations training, renewable energy, water and disaster management.”
Melange Report