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PR. No.351/2008

Date: 21/11/2008    

FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS EU AMBASSADORS

Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi attended a dinner last evening, hosted on behalf of the European Heads of Mission by the Ambassador of France, which currently holds the EU Presidency. The dinner meeting is a regular feature during every EU Presidency.

The French Ambassador in his address, underlined that the EU considered Pakistan as an extremely important country, especially in the context of peace and stability in the region. He reaffirmed that the EU countries were close friends of Pakistan who were committed towards a stronger and stable Pakistan- politically, democratically and economically. He said that the EU was keen to comprehensively upgrade its relations with Pakistan and the European Union agreed with the Roadmap drawn up by Pakistan .

The Foreign Minister, while appreciating the EU's consistent political and economic support to Pakistan , stated that Pakistan attached the highest importance to its relations with the European Union which constituted its largest trading, investment and development assistance partner.

The Foreign Minister briefed the EU Ambassadors on important developments in the last six months such as the presidential election in Pakistan which completed the democratic transformation, the internal political and economic situation, establishment of Friends of Democratic Pakistan forum, the holding of the Mini-Jirga, high level visits to Pakistan from Europe, the Government's counter-insurgency operation, and Pakistan's relations with its neighbours.

The Foreign Minister took stock of the growing relations between Pakistan and the EU and emphasized on a high level of interaction. He also made a case for greater access for Pakistani goods in the EU market.

Islamabad
21 November 2008