Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday expressed hope that his visit to South Korea would help give political impetus to bilateral relations.
He said this in a meeting with Korean ambassador who called on him. The prime minister would attend the Second Nuclear Security Summit being held in Seoul on March 26-27, where heads of states and governments from major countries are participating. He is likely to meet a number of world leaders and the CEOs of major Korean companies.
“The South Korean companies have a robust investment in Pakistan across a whole spectrum of economic activity,” the prime minister said. He said inspired by South Korea’s unique experience of great economic progress, Pakistan wished to benefit from its best practices to be able to achieve similar developmental trajectory.
Gilani stated that the interaction with South Korean companies would encourage them to enhance their engagement and investment particularly in infrastructure and energy sectors. He said that Pakistan desires to further strengthen and expand relations in political, economic, trade and defence fields. “There is immense potential to forge bilateral co-operation in these fields,” an official statement quoted him as saying.
The Korean ambassador reiterated that Korea also look forward to the Gilani’s visit.
He said exchange of delegations at various levels would further cement the existing ties between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Dr Michael Koch, the outgoing German ambassador paid a farewell visit on PM Gilani at the PM’s House on Saturday.
The prime minister said parliament was working on preparing new terms of engagements of the partnership between the US and Pakistan, as for any policy the ownership and support of public was important.
Gilani while congratulating the outgoing German ambassador for his appointment as Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan said Pakistan would continue to provide all support towards peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. He reiterated Pakistan’s stance to encourage Afghan led and Afghan own reconciliation process The Prime Minister said that he has made an appeal to all factions in Afghanistan on the request of Afghan President for greater reconciliation.
He praised the German Ambassador’s role in fostering bilateral relations. He said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Germany and would like to transform this relation into strategic partnership.
The prime minister asked the outgoing ambassador to pay his best regards to the German Chancellor. He reiterated invitation to the German Chancellor to visit Pakistan.