ISLAMABAD: The 15th round of Pakistan-Sweden Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) was held in Stockholm.
The Pakistan delegation was led by Ambassador Zaheer A. Janjua, additional secretary (Europe), while the Swedish side was led by Ambassador Cecilia Ruthstrom-Ruin, deputy director general and head of the Department for Asia and Oceania.
The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and identified opportunities and possibilities for further strengthening cooperation, especially in the spheres of trade and economy, investment, culture, education, IT and telecommunications, science and technology, and parliamentary exchanges.
The two sides deliberated upon the evolving peace and security environments in their respective regions. The Pakistani side briefed the Swedish delegation on Pakistan’s policy of “peaceful neighbourhood” and its peace overtures towards India
Ambassador Ruthstrom-Ruin briefed on the current security situation in Sweden and in Europe. The Additional Secretary (Europe) briefed the Swedish side on Pakistan’s credentials for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group while emphasising the need for a criteria-based, non-discriminatory approach towards new non-NPT member states.