Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held separate meetings with Emir of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and European Council (EC) President Herman Van Rompuy on Wednesday and exchanged views on matters of bilateral interests and international situations.
During meeting with emir of Qatar, Nawaz said Pakistan and Qatar enjoyed close and cordial relations and expressed his desire of promoting and further strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in economic cooperation.
The emir of Qatar underscored the importance that his country attaches to its relations with Pakistan. He noted the valuable contribution made by overseas Pakistanis living in Qatar for the development of the country. The two leaders agreed that the close political bilateral relations need to be transformed into mutually beneficial economic partnership.
Discussions focused in particular on cooperation in the energy and power sectors, including LNG import by Pakistan. The two leaders expressed the confidence that mutually beneficial economic, commercial and investment cooperation between the two countries will further bring the people of two countries closer.
During meeting with the Sri Lankan president, the PM underscored the importance that Pakistan attaches to its relations with Sri Lanka which are characterized by cordiality and friendship.
The prime minister said he looked forward to his participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Governments meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Sri Lanka in November 2013.
The Sri Lankan president thanked Pakistan for support to Sri Lanka in the latter’s fight against terrorism and then at international forums. He invited Pakistani investors to invest in Sri Lanka, especially in the sugar industry. The two leaders agreed to continue to work together to deepen and broaden bilateral relations through regular contacts and exchange of visits and by increasing trade and investment interactions.
Nawaz also had a meeting on Wednesday with the President of European Council Herman Van Rompuy. He briefed the EU high dignitaries on the positive strides Pakistan has made towards democracy by holding free, fair and transparent elections with a record turnout despite the security challenges.
Nawaz said that his government’s priorities include reviving the economy, overcoming the energy shortages, eradicating extremism and promoting human rights. Noting that EU is Pakistan’s single largest trading partner, the PM said that Pakistan’s inclusion in the GSP plus scheme in 2014 would further deepen Pakistan’s trade and investment linkages with the European Union.
The EU council president said that the EU attached high importance to its relations with Pakistan. He commended deepening of the democratic process in Pakistan and expressed appreciation for the positive agenda of the present government in Pakistan. He expressed satisfaction at the elevation of EU’s relations with Pakistan to a strategic level and said that he looked forward to the second round of Pakistan-EU strategic dialogue to be held in Brussels on 15 October 2013.
