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PR. No. 345/2009
Date: 10/09/2009
FOREIGN MINISTER'S MEETING WITH THE SPANISH DELEGATION
Ambassador Jose Eugenio Salarich, Director General for Asia & Pacific in the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accompanied by Spain 's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Rafa
el Mendivil called on Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi today.
During the meeting both sides reiterated their mutual desire to expand bilateral relations in all fields especially greater trade and investment between the two countries would give the relationship a stronger underpinning. The Foreign Minister pointed out that Pakistan could also act as a hub for Spanish businessmen in the region. There was a need to explore avenues and facilitate investment through public-private partnership between the two countries. In this regard the Foreign Minister invited the Spanish government to send a delegation of Spanish businessmen to a public-private partnership meeting being hosted by UAE early next year within the framework of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister expressed appreciation to Spain for its active support to Pakistan within the FODP forum. In this regard the Spanish delegation confirmed the participation of their Prime Minister in the FODP meeting scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the UNGA in September.
Ambassador Salarich informed the Foreign Minister of the keen interest of his Government to have closer strategic partnership with the Government of Pakistan at the highest level. In this regard, the Secretary General of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish Foreign Minister were keen to visit Pakistan at the earliest opportunity. The Foreign Minister reciprocated Ambassador Salarich sentiments and said that we looked forward to their visits.
The Spanish delegation conveyed their deep appreciation for the people and government of Pakistan for its role in confronting and addressing the issues of terrorism and extremism. The Foreign Minister emphasized the role of the democratically elected government in uniting the nation against the menace of terrorism and handling the issue of dislocated persons within record time. Both sides agreed to cooperate closely on these issues.
Both sides have noted with great satisfaction the progress on Pakistan-EU relations. In the context of Spain assuming the Presidency of the EU from January 2010, the Foreign Minister expressed the hope that these relations would see momentous growth. He emphasized that there was a need for greater market access for Pakistan within the EU to ensure support for Pakistan 's economy. The Foreign Minister informed the Spanish side that Pakistan looked forward to the holding of the Second Pakistan-EU summit next year during the Spanish Presidency.
Both sides had detailed discussion on the situation in Afghanistan and the recent elections there, agreeing that the international community had a vital role to play in peace, stability, and reconstruction of Afghanistan .
On Pakistan 's relations with India , the Foreign Minister emphasized that the two countries needed to address their issues through dialogue. The Foreign Minister said that there was no option for the two countries but to enter into dialogue over bilateral outstanding issues.
Ambassador Salarich also handed over a letter from the Spanish Foreign Minister thanking Foreign Minister Qureshi for his efforts for the rescue of Spanish mountaineer who had met serious accident while trying to reach the summit near Skardu.
The Foreign Minister raised the issue of ten Pakistan nationals taken into custody on terrorism related charges from Barcelona in January this year. Mr. Salarich informed that the trails were scheduled to be held by the end of the year. Ambassador Salarich also praised the Pakistani community in Spain for their positive role in society and their contribution to Spain 's economy.
Islamabad
10 September 2009
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