Pakistan and Denmark on Wednesday agreed to work together to eliminate the menace of terrorism and to enhance strategic dialogue for regional peace and development.
Danish Foreign Minister Villy Søvndal called on President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Foreign Minsiter Hina Rabbani Khar separately, and discussed bilateral relations, trade and economic interactions, war against terrorism and the overall regional situation.
President Zardari welcomed the Danish foreign minister and felicitated Denmark on assuming the rotating presidency of the European Council for the seventh time.
He said Pakistan wished to build a broad-based substantive and long-term equation with Denmark. The president said Pakistan greatly appreciated Danish support to democracy in Pakistan.
He said there was a need to further promote mutual interactions at all the levels to strengthen the existing friendly relationship.
Zardari added that the two countries needed to work together in translating their friendly equation to boost trade and economic interaction.
“The existing bilateral trade volume does not commensurate with the available potential,” the president remarked.
He thanked the Danish government for its support to Pakistan in getting Autonomous Trade Package and inclusion of Pakistan in the GSP plus scheme.
On Pakistan-EU relations, the president said Pakistan attached great importance to its partnership with the European Union.
Villy Søvndal thanked the president for the meeting and assured Danish government’s continued support to the people of Pakistan.
In his meeting with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the Danish minister discussed the prospects of further enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various sectors such as trade, energy, communication, education and high level exchanges.
Sovndal congratulated Gilani for the continuity of democratic process in Pakistan, adding that when a smooth transition of power took place, it would be extremely important for Pakistan and the world.
The prime minister thanked the Danish minister and her government for supporting Pakistan.
Sovndal said he was looking forward to a positive outcome in the European Council regarding Autonomous Trade Package which would entitle Pakistan to have greater access to European Union.
He appreciated Pakistan’s role as a front line state in the fight against extremism and terrorism.
Addressing a joint press conference with Hina Rabbani Khar later, the Danish foreign minister said they had had useful talks on matters of common interest. He said both countries had agreed to enhance bilateral relations, adding that Pakistan was an important country. He said Denmark fully supported democracy and development
in Pakistan.
He acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution to the war on terror and expressed deep sympathy and solidarity with the people of Pakistan for their losses in the war.
The Danish foreign minister also appreciated the democratic government’s initiatives for reforms in democratic system and for upholding human rights, specially the legislation for empowerment of women.
Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan and Denmark enjoyed cordial relations and would Endeavour to expand them.
She said Pakistan wanted long-term engagement with Denmark and invited the investors of the country to invest in wind energy sector.
To a question about opening of NATO supply route to Afghanistan, she said it would reflect the aspiration of the people of Pakistan and the recommendations of parliament.
