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PM urges EU countries to assist Pakistan in technical, financial fields
ISLAMABAD July 07 : Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has asked the European Union countries to assist Pakistan in greater market access and technical and financial assistance in its journey to move ahead.
He was addressing the EU Ambassadors at the Prime Minister's House here on Thursday.
The Prime Minister said the market access will help create more jobs and reduce poverty and technical assistance is extremely valuable in vocational training and skill enhancement.
He said EU Pakistan relationship has lot of potential and this relationship is multifaceted. Pakistan has over six billion dollars of trade with EU member countries and it is growing rapidly. The EU is a source of investment into Pakistan and lot of Pakistanis are working there.
Mr. Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan wants to engage with the EU on the economic side through a joint economic commission.
In his address Mr. Shaukat Aziz dwelt on various aspects of Pakistan's foreign policy, relations with neigbouring countries, domestic political situation and other issues. He said Pakistan is an important player and leading country in this region and the Ummah, committed to peace and wants to grow and prosper.
He said Pakistan's relationship with China is strategic. He met Chinese President Hu Jin Tao yesterday in Astana. He said China is an important strategic ally of Pakistan and the two countries are in cooperation in security and defence , culture, science and technology and investment. Our trade cooperation with China is growing very well.
About India, he said Pakistan wants Kashmir issue to be addressed which will infulence progress intendam on other issues. He said Pakistan believes that Kashmir issue should be resolved in line with the wishes of the Kashmiri people and all the three stake holders will have to agree to move for the resolution of this problem. For this purpose there is need for courage, megnanimity and flexibility. He said Pakistan is in contact with India to resolve all outstanding issues and the latest contact was with External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh in Astana.
He said Afghanistan is very important neighbour of Pakistan and he will be visiting Kabul on the 24th of this month for talks with President Hamid Karzai. He said the two countries have a very strong relationship and Pakistan is committed to a strong and stable Afghanistan and we are helping in the reconstruction of that country.
Pakistan supported the holing of Presidential elections and it is supporting the holding of Parliamentary elections there. He said Pakistan has moved about seventy thousand troops on the border with Afghanistan to try to control movement of unauthorised persons and drug trafficking.
About Iran, he said Pakistan maintains close relations with that country. He said Pakistan and Iran are to sign an MOU for Pakistan-Iran-India gas pipeline project to take this process forward. He said even if India does not join in the project, Pakistan will still go ahead for the gas project. He said many private investors are showing interest to invest in the piepeline project.
Mr. Shaukat Aziz said Pakistan is against nuclear proliferation in any form. He supported the three EU countries initiative for the resolution of Iran's nuclear issue and said Pakistan is opposed to any military action to solve this issue.
Turning to the domestic political process, he said the schedule of local bodies elections to be held in three phases has been announced. He said these would be hundred percent free, fair and transparent and Pakistan would welcome anybody from anywhere to come and observe these elections. He said as leader of the house he maintains contacts with all political parties.
He said media in Pakistan is free and the government encourage it to report accurately. He said the government is totally committed to provide appropriate environment for the women folk to develop and grow. The government has given them reserved seats and representations at all levels of elected offices.
As far Mukhtaran Mai he said he personally spoke to her and there are no restriction and she can go anywhere.
Shaukat Aziz said the government has launched Khushaal Pakistan programme to improve the quality of life of the people at all level particularly those in low income group. The programme aims at providing clean drinking water, electricity, health, education and other social services. The government will keep it focused and improve the quality of life of the people.