German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised Pakistan’s “rising diplomatic profile in the resolution of regional and global disputes”, in a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari in Berlin on Friday.
President Zardari is currently on a three-day visit to Germany, having departed yesterday, as the two countries are set to mark the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
According to a statement posted by the president’s office, the two leaders also discussed challenges related to Afghanistan.
President Zardari said that while Pakistan “has no conflict with the Afghan people”, it would not allow terrorists to use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan’s citizens and violate its sovereignty, the statement said.
Steinmeier appreciated Pakistan’s government for facilitating the verification of 500 Afghans that were to be repatriated to Germany, it said, adding that he also appreciated Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance to “millions of Afghans” over more than four decades.
He also took a “significant interest” in the Makkah defence pact, which has been signed between Pakistan, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia. In response, President Zardari said the pact was aimed at “ensuring regional security and provided a security alternative to regional conflicts, and it is not directed against any specific country”.
The German president expressed hope that the two countries would continue to engage with reinforced efforts in the fields of business and trade to promote “bilateral business, education collaboration and technological cooperation”.
For his part, President Zardari noted with “profound appreciation” that his landmark visit to Germany was taking place after 23 years, “defining a significant chapter in bilateral relations as the two countries commemorate 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year”.
He thanked Steinmeier for his invitation and the hospitality extended to him and his delegation. President Zardari further expressed his gratitude for Steinmeier’s acknowledgement of Pakistan’s “sincere mediation role” in the conflict between the United States and Iran, the statement said.
He said Pakistan viewed the resolution of conflicts through the lens of sustained dialogue and constructive negotiations, “for the sake of regional as well as global peace and stability”.
During the meeting, President Zardari also stressed the need to “realise the available potential for expanding existing political, economic and defence cooperation” between Pakistan and Germany, with “greater focus on economy and trade, emerging technologies, climate resilience, skills development, people-to-people and cultural exchanges”, the statement said.
The president said that Pakistan “highly values” Germany as a major European partner, and expressed admiration for German support towards women’s empowerment, social protection and human development.
Pakistan was prepared for expanding bilateral cooperation beyond traditional areas into “innovative and mutually beneficial collaboration” with Germany in scientific development, healthcare and education, vocational training and technological advancement, trade and investment, agriculture, commerce and industry, and climate resilience through enhanced government-to-government, business-to-business, and expert-level interactions, the statement quoted President Zardari as saying.
He said the visit reflected Pakistan’s “commitment to deepening its longstanding cordial, friendly relations with Germany and readiness to translate existing relations into a more stronger, robust and mutually beneficial partnership through sustained constructive engagement”.
President Zardari invited the German president to Pakistan, who responded that he would consider a visit “at an appropriate time”.
Both the presidents participated in delegation-level talks after their one-on-one meeting, according to the statement. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Sindh’s provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon and Jam Khan Shoro, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany Salman Sharif, were part of the Pakistani delegation.
Earlier, President Zardari was given a Guard of Honour upon his arrival at the German Ministry of Defence, with Steinmeier also present on the occasion, the statement added.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Foreign Office (FO) said the president’s visit, scheduled for Oct 22-24, is “part of high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Germany”.
During his visit, he will also hold meetings with senior leadership and business leaders, with a “particular focus оп economic and trade cooperation”, the FO said.
In September, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
During the meeting, Germany appreciated Pakistan’s mediation efforts in regional conflicts, especially in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. The two sides also agreed to “get negotiations on peace for Ukraine going”, according to the German foreign office.
Meanwhile, in June, a German delegation announced plans to bring about 30 German companies to Pakistan and link local businesses to European markets.