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PR. No. 355/2009
Date: 24/09/2009
FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS FOREIGN MINISTERS OF ITALY , JAPAN , SIERRA LEONE, ARGENTINA AND SPAIN
Foreign Minister's meeting with the Foreign Minister of Italy
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Foreign Minister of Italy, Mr. Franco Frattini, on the sidelines of the 64 th session of UNGA on 23 September 2009.
The two foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction on the pace of development of bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Franco Frattini reiterated Italy 's support for early start of Free Trade Agreement negotiations between Pakistan and the European Union. He expressed the hope that all benchmarks for starting negotiations on Free Trade Agreement between the two sides would be reached soon.
Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked Italy for supporting Pak-EU Free Trade Agreement. He also thanked Italy for their support to institutionalize the Pak-EU summit process and for its active role in the FODP process.
The two Foreign Ministers exchanged views on regional and international issues. Foreign Minister Qureshi briefed his Italian counterpart on Afghanistan and Pakistan-India relations.
The two leaders also discussed the President's forthcoming visit to Italy .
Foreign Minister's meeting with the Foreign Minister of Japan (23-9-09)
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met the Foreign Minister of Japan Mr. Katsuya Okada on the sidelines of UNGA. It was the first meeting between the two Foreign Ministers since the change of the government in Japan .
Foreign Minister Qureshi congratulated Mr. Okada on his party's election victory and his appointment as Foreign Minister. He said that Pakistan greatly appreciated the development assistance being provided by Japan . He thanked Japan for hosting the Donors' Conference and the FODP meeting in Tokyo, and for pledging US$ 1 billion for economic development of Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Kutsaya Okada recalled that he paid a three day visit to Pakistan immediately after the October 2005 earthquake. He said that he was looking forward to visit at an early date to see how the earthquake affectees had been able to rebuild their lives.
Foreign Minister Okada said that after taking over as Foreign Minister a week ago, he identified three priority areas for the new government. They included (a) climate change; (b) strengthening of Japan-US alliance; and (c) support to Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said Japan greatly appreciated Pakistan's efforts to curb terrorism and extremism. He assured Japan's continued support to Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and for economic development of the country.
Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked Foreign Minister Okada for his kind sentiments toward Pakistan. He extended him an invitation to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience. Foreign Minister Okada is likely to visit Pakistan before end of the year.
Foreign Minister's meeting with the Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met the Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, on the sidelines of the 64 th session of the UN General Assembly on 23 rd September 2009.
The two Foreign Ministers discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to Pakistan-Sierra Leone bilateral relations. The Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone thanked Pakistan for its contribution in bringing peace and stability in Sierra Leone as part of UN peacekeeping efforts.
The Sierra Leone Foreign Minister agreed to the proposal for the establishment of Joint Ministerial Commission to give a new vigour to bilateral relations. The two sides also agreed to establish linkages between the Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan and Sierra Leone.
The Sierra Leone Foreign Minister invited Pakistan to participate in the Donor/Invest Conference being held in London on 18-19 November 2009.
The two sides also exchanged views on UN Security Council reforms.
Islamabad
Foreign Minister's meeting with the Foreign Minister of Argentina
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Argentina, Mr. Jorge Taiana, on the sidelines of the 64 th session of UNGA on 23 September 2009.
The two Foreign Ministers discussed the whole ambit of Pakistan-Argentina relations. The Foreign Minister underscored the need to strengthen institutional arrangements for closer interaction between the two countries. He also proposed early hosting of the second round of political consultations between the two countries.
The Foreign Ministers agreed that early conclusion of a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries would give a boost to trade relations and help in correcting the existing trade imbalance between the two countries.
The two Foreign Ministers reiterated their principled position on South-South cooperation, as well as on WTO negotiations.
The Foreign Minister apprised his Argentinean counterpart on the problems being faced by Pakistani businessmen in the process of visa requests for Argentina. The Argentinean side noted the concern and promised to look into the matter.
The Foreign Minister also exchanged views on the UN Security Council reform.
Foreign Minister's meeting with the Foreign Minister of Spain
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Foreign Minister of Spain Miguel Ángel Moratinos in New York on 23 September 2009. The two Ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations as well regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The Spanish Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction on Pakistan's efforts to curb terrorism and extremism in the areas adjacent to Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He especially mentioned Pakistani security forces' success in Swat valley.
The Spanish Foreign Minister said that developing closer relations with Pakistan as a priority for Spain as both countries faced similar challenges. He said Spain was looking forward to host the 2 nd Pakistan –EU Summit meeting during Spain's Presidency early next year.
Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked his counterpart for supporting Pakistan's request for market access to the EU. He said that he was very keen to develop closer economic relations with Spain. He said Pakistan can learn a lot from Spain in areas like infrastructure development, tourism and olive cultivation.
He extended an invitation to the Spanish Foreign Minister for a visit to Pakistan before the next Pakistan-EU summit being hosted by Spain.
The Spain Foreign Minister appreciated the cooperation between the two countries in promoting interfaith harmony and understanding among civilizations. He appreciated Pakistan's efforts to host the regional conference on interfaith in the historic city of Lahore.
The two leaders also exchanged views on situation in Afghanistan and the ongoing reform process of UN Security Council.
Islamabad
24 September 2009
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