Pak, Germany join hands in war on terror

BERLIN (APP) Pakistan and Germany on Tuesday vowed to join hands in the fight against terrorism and extremism, besides agreeing on an enhanced cooperation in trade, defence, education and energy sectors.
Addressing a joint press conference here along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani described the talks as fruitful and said we have decided to upgrade these relations to embark upon a roadmap of enhanced partnership and cooperation.
Chancellor Merkel pointed to the long political and business cooperation between Pakistan and Germany over the decades and said the two sides agreed to maintain a strategic political dialogue.
She also recalled their brief meeting in Beijing and said Gilanis current visit will bolster the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The two leaders also mentioned the inking of a new bilateral investment treaty by their respective investment ministers and hoped the private sectors of the two countries would immensely benefit and boost the two-way trade.
The new investment protection agreement will lay a solid foundation for future between the two countries and enable her country to help Pakistan in energy, mutual investments, and technology transfer, Merkel said.
She said the new investment protection agreement will lay a solid foundation for future between the two countries and added that her country will help Pakistan in energy, mutual investments and technology transfer.
The two leaders also agreed to further deepen and broaden their cooperation in multifaceted fields and to focus on expanding economic ties as a follow up of signing of new investment agreement.
He hoped that German companies would now come forward in a big way to benefit from the treaty and invest in Pakistan.
The two sides also discussed enhanced defence cooperation in areas of training, defence procurement and production. The defence cooperation between the two countries was put on a freeze following the nuclear tests by Pakistan and India in 1998.
There has been some improvement, but still a ban continues on acquisition of dual-purpose equipment and Pakistan is seeking to get it lifted, a senior Pakistan embassy official told APP. Pakistan which is also keen to get greater market access to the European Union also sought a positive and early response from Germany.
In the battle for hearts and minds, in the quest to give our people, the hope of a better tomorrow, greater trade remains a strategic imperative, he said.
Gilani was also appreciative of German Chancellor for her countrys support to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan process by pledging US $155 million at the Tokyo Donors Conference.
He also appreciated that Germany had more than doubled its assistance to Pakistan for development cooperation from Euro 34 million in 2007-08 to Euro 80 million in 2009-10.
The doubling of the development assistance, Germanys strong endorsement of Friends of Democratic Pakistan and its key role in the success of the first Pakistan-EU Summit earlier this year are deeply appreciated, he added.
Chancellor Merkel also offered cooperation in education at a much higher level than in the past as she believed that education for young goes a long way in establishing internal security, to extricate them away from terrorism.
She said under the FoDP, Germany has tried to stabilise economic situation of Pakistan, helping IMF to help support the country, hope this is indeed in interest of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Gilani said Germany being one of the largest economies of the European Union can assist Pakistan for greater access to its goods to the European markets. He said Pakistan desires improvement of trade and economic ties with Europe, and said Germany can play a key role in helping it with a Free Trade Agreement with the EU.
Chancellor Merkel said the government will show constructive attitude and encourage the EU to promote these matters. The strategic importance of Pakistan is seen by all and other members of the EU are understood to have seen its importance.
He said Pakistan looks to Germanys support in realising its full economic potential, and assured that investments will be facilitated through a revamped bilateral investment treaty.
Gilani said during their detailed deliberations the two sides focussed on the successes, the challenges, and the assistance Pakistan requires.
He said Pakistan needs support of the international community in capacity building, provision of social safety net for its police and law enforcing agencies as well as repatriation of 3.5 million Afghan refugees with honour and dignity.
The Prime Minister said people of Pakistan have demonstrated their strong will and resolve in combating extremism and militancy and the entire nation stands together to fight the evil that haunts the entire world.
He said Pakistan has demonstrated its commitment to combat terrorism, extremism and militancy and the sacrifices rendered by the people of Pakistan and its armed forces remain unparalleled.
He informed the German Chancellor about the success of the counterterrorism operations in South Waziristan and said now the governments priority was relief and rehabilitation of the returnees in affected areas and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure and property.
He said Pakistan looks forward to German assistance to share the burden for the reconstruction of areas affected by terrorism, extremism and militancy.
Both leaders also exchanged views on overall security situation in this region, with particular reference to Afghanistan.
Regarding Pakistans stance on Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan supports an Afghan-led national reconciliation process and can play a vital role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
He said being Afghanistans immediate neighbour, Pakistan must be onboard to ensure sustainability of peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Gilani also welcomed the initiative to hold an International Conference on Afghanistan to develop a new compact with Afghanistan.
Chancellor Merkel said because of Germanys own interest in Afghanistan, it desires improvement in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
We wish to strengthen relations between the two, she added.
She said Germany was the third largest contributor to ISAF and was engaged in Northern Afghanistan. We have a very complex security situation particularly in Kundus and along with the NATO and the ISAF we have agreed on comprehensive network for integrated security.
She said while it was absolutely essential to win hearts and minds of the people we also have to promote network security approach.
Chancellor Merkel said Germany would make its point on troops increase in Afghanistan following the conference on Afghanistan on Jan 28.
About the killing of innocent civilians in Kundus, Chancellor Merkel deplored the incident and expressed her deep sorrow. The federal minister for defence announced to review the whole process. We should all refer to the ISAF report and we feel that everything has to be brought to the light of the day and every thing needs to be investigated, she said.
She said: Civilian deaths have occurred, we deplore that and we feel responsible for that and we regret that, but we also should not prejudge the outcome of the investigation, she added.
PM Gilani said Pakistan also desires friendly relations with India, but stressed that without the resolution of Kashmir dispute the two countries cannot move forward. He said revival of the composite dialogue between the two countries was essential for lasting peace, progress and stability in the region.
Chancellor Merkel also noted that a better and stable relationship between Pakistan and India can help stability of the region.
Prime Minister Gilani said he was heartened with the message of goodwill and support for Pakistan and said the two countries can focus on energy, water management, agriculture, oil and gas sectors.
He also conveyed his best wishes to the German democracy as it embarks upon a new journey under the leadership of Chancellor Merkel. As the EU navigates its way under a new treaty arrangement, I wish her and her colleagues the very best, he added.
The prime minister suggested that a representative office of the German Chamber of Commerce be set up in Karachi as it would provide impetus to German traders seeking business opportunities in Pakistan.
He said Pakistan and Germany need to enter into an agreement for collaboration in scientific and technological cooperation. He said Pakistan would appreciate if they Germany can increase the number of scholarships for Pakistani students, besides helping it in technical education.
He also noted the progress made by Germany in wind and solar energy and said Germany can assist Pakistan in these areas to help it meet its energy shortage.
Gilani stressed the need for regular high-level exchanges and invited Chancellor Merkel to visit Pakistan.
Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani was accorded a warm welcome and presented a guard of honour by a contingent of the German armed forces when he arrived at the Chancellors office.
Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani called on German President Horst Koehler and discussed with him ways to further expand ties in all areas of mutual interest.
Gilani also apprised Koehler of Pakistans desire and measures taken to maintain good relations with India, the countrys war against militancy and the steps taken by the coalition government for economic recovery.
The two leaders also showed keen desire to further cement bilateral relations in political, economic, commercial, cultural and defence fields besides agreeing on the need for having enlarged Pakistan-EU economic cooperation.