BERLIN, Germany, Dec 1 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said Pakistan must be taken fully onboard by the United States of America and allied countries on the new initiative on Afghanistan. “Pakistan being an immediate neighbour which is most directly affected by the security situation in Afghanistan should however be taken fully onboard by the US and allied countries while reviewing their policies or taking a new initiative on Afghanistan,” Gilani said.
Addressing a luncheon here hosted by Ruprecht Polenz, Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee and attended by a large number of German Parliamentarians, Gilani said “They [US and allied states] should be sensitive to Pakistan’s concerns and must take them into account,” he said while referring to the new initiative to be announced by the US President Barack Obama that is likely to add 30,000 more troops to the insurgency-torn Afghanistan.
Gilani said a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was a pre-requisite for peace and stability of Pakistan.
“We therefore have and will continue playing our role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan has welcomed the recent proposal to hold an international conference to develop a new compact with Afghanistan and added Pakistan will keep supporting all those initiatives which can help restore peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Gilani said Pakistan has demonstrated its firm commitment in countering terrorism, extremism and militancy and said the sacrifices made by the people and Armed forces of Pakistan in the war to root out this menace were unparalleled.
He however pointed that these sacrifices will go waste unless all energy and available resources were not devoted for the relief and rehabilitation of the people dislocated in the operations against terrorism and reconstruction of the affected regions of Malakand, Waziristan and FATA.
“We expect our friends like Germany, to step forward at this critical juncture, to help Pakistan towards this end,” he said.
Prime Minister Gilani expressed gratitude to Germany for an increase in development assistance for Pakistan from Euro 34 million in 2007-08 to Euro 80 million in 2009-10 and for its pledge of Euro 115 million at Pakistan Donors Conference in Tokyo.
“An early disbursement of this assistance will enable us to undertake the projects for improving education, health, skills development and income generating entities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and thus address the root causes of extremism and terrorism,” he said.
Gilani expressed his gratitude for Germany’s consistent support for the democratically elected governments in Pakistan and for its commitment to extend assistance for the stability of Pakistan.
He proposed formation of the Pakistan German Friendship groups in the respective Parliaments, saying their interaction and exchanges will greatly help in creating better understanding of each other’s countries and bring the two people ever closer.
He described Germany as an important friend and economic partner of Pakistan and said “we aspire for a broad-based substantive and long term partnership with Germany based on the shared values and common interests by further strengthening and expanding our mutually beneficial cooperation.”
He also expressed appreciation of Germany’s positive role in the EU for supporting Pakistan’s cause and for proactively supporting the FODP process.
He said Germany was Pakistan’s second major European investor and the country was keen to build upon this solid foundation to take their bilateral economic and trade ties to new heights.
“On multilateral front we would appreciate Germany’s consistent support to forge an enhanced partnership between Pakistan and the EU through intensified political dialogue, increased access for Pakistani products in the European markets and flow of higher European investment in Pakistan.”
He said Pakistan’s main objective was to enhance trade and not aid.
“Our democratic government strives for making Pakistan stand on its own, with reduced dependence on foreign assistance and increased economic activities, thus generating higher level of production and creating more job opportunities for our people.”
He said Germany’s support was vital for grant of European Union’s GSP Plus facilities for its exports and an early commencement of negotiations for Pakistan-EU Free Trade Agreement.
The Prime Minister also felicitated the German parliamentarians on their victory in the recent elections, saying they represent a great nation of the world which has excelled in every sphere of human and social development and has made its mark, in fields of education, health, science and technology
Source:app.com.pk
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