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P.R. No.99/2006

Date: 07/03/2006

Statement by Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri at the Press Conference with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos

Spain to support Pakistan in hosting a meeting on “alliance of the civilizations”

I had a very fruitful and productive meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister, Mr. Miguel Angel Moratinos. This is the first ever visit of a Spanish Foreign Minister to Pakistan which marks a new beginning in Pakistan-Spain bilateral relations and will go a long way in reinforcing our bilateral ties. I visited Spain in March 2004 and this is the return visit by the Spanish Foreign Minister.

Pakistan and Spain enjoy long-standing, close and cooperative relations, based on shared values and a common desire to promote peace, prosperity and stability in our respective regions, and the world. These bonds of friendship were also reflected in the prompt and generous assistance provided by the Spanish Government, including the largest contingent of around 400 personnel of the NATO Rapid Reaction Force, for the victims and in subsequent rehabilitation efforts in the aftermath of 8 th October earthquake. We are grateful to the people and the Government of Spain for their valuable support.

The publication of sacrilegious cartoons has offended and hurt every Muslim in the world. We agreed for the need to work together for promoting interfaith harmony, since both Pakistan and Spain were uniquely placed to play an important role in enhancing understanding between Islam and the West.

I informed the Spanish Foreign Minister that Pakistan has offered to host a meeting of the ‘alliance of civilizations”, initiative, of which Spain is a co-sponsor along with Turkey, to promote interfaith and intercultural cultural harmony. The Foreign Minister has assured me of Spain's support for the initiative and informed me that he would speak to the Secretary General UN, Mr. Kofi Annan, in this respect. I also urged the Spanish Foreign minister to support Pakistan's idea of a resolution against defamation of religions and religious symbols at the UN. He has agreed that Spain would work with Pakistan on the text of the resolution.

I also underlined the need to further strengthen the rapidly expanding commercial relations between the two countries and briefed him on investment opportunities in Pakistan for Spanish entrepreneurs. I sought Spain's support for trade issues within the EU, such as the anti-dumping duty on bed linen. I also sought Spanish technical expertise in the field of olive plantation.

We agreed to expand defence cooperation, particularly in the area of procurement.

I emphasized the need for early signing of the Revised Air Services Agreement that would enable direct flight between Islamabad and Barcelona to facilitate travel for Pakistan community in Spain. We agreed to work to achieve this objective.

We appreciate the Spanish offer for extending micro credit facility to Pakistan with initial equity of Euro ten million. Its modalities would be worked out by both governments.

Foreign Minister Moritanos and I discussed wide ranging regional and international issues. I updated Spanish Foreign Minister on Pakistan's vital role in war against terrorism and underscored that we will never relent. I also briefed the Foreign Minister on Pakistan-India relations and the ongoing composite dialogue for resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir. We had detailed discussion on Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and about our ongoing efforts for enhancing peace and stability in our region.

The signing of “Protocol on Bilateral Consultations between the Ministry of foreign Affairs and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation” today is a reflection of our mutual desire to further enhance and expand Pak-Spain bilateral relations.

Islamabad