Pak ties with EU’s pivotal power — Germany
Along with other major UN and EU members Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with Germany based on common interest and shared perceptions on almost all major international issues. Pakistan has enjoyed 50 years of friendly and amicable foreign relations with Germany (an economic giant in EU). Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif who currently visited to Germany, discussed bilateral military-to-military relations and security cooperation with his German counterpart and the defence minister.
Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif met German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and discussed matters relating to regional security and bilateral ties. During the meeting with the German diplomat, the discussion focused on bilateralism and peace and security in the region. The German foreign minister also acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution in the war on terror.
In 2011 Pakistan and Germany celebrated their 50 years of friendly relations and mutual cooperation to date German government has provided a total of Euro 2.3 billion an approximate of PKR 275 billion for development and cooperation. During this period of 50 years both sides have managed to adapt changing demands and new challenges in order to obtain sustainable results in cooperation. In recent,
German Foreign minister Guido Westerwelle paid a state visit to Pakistan in June 2013 where he met with Prime Minister Navaz Sharif and later convened a press conference with Sartaj Aziz, national security adviser
In December,2015, the German Defence Minister Ursula Von der Leyen again visited Pakistan.
Pakistan and Germany resolved to enhance defence cooperation and military to military relations. This understanding reached during a meeting of Chief of German Naval Staff Admiral Andreas Krause with Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif. According to defence ministry, during the meeting Defence Minister Khawaja Asif explained the regional situation.
He said that Pakistan is the only country whose army is actively engaged in fighting the war of the world. He further explained that the menace of terrorism is spreading to the world and it is Pakistan and its armed forces which are fighting the menace and giving away their lives to save the world. He said that this part of the world has been a hotbed of terrorism and “we take a lot of pride in the fact that our armed forces are combating primarily for our future.”Explaining relationship between Pakistan and Germany, he said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Germany
During the meeting with the German FM, PM Nawaz said that the national economy is witnessing a turnaround with key indicators showing improvement. He added that the operation against terrorism is also yielding positive results. Matters relating to bilateral and regional interest with particular focus on peace and stability in the region were also discussed.
The PM recalled his visit to Germany in November last year and his meetings with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Pakistan is one of the three countries in the world that have a trade surplus with Germany, Dr. Nunn said. Textile, leather goods and other items hold a competitive ground in German markets, and recent visit of business delegations will pave the way for future development. With regard to development cooperation, Germany is extending its operation in education sector, especially to youth.
He further said he had already directed the concerned authorities to follow the mutually agreed areas of cooperation that were discussed during his visit, particularly bilateral trade and investment. He thanked Germany for supporting Pakistan on the GSP Plus status given by the European Union. German FM Steinmeier said bilateral relations between the two countries are improving. He went on to say that cooperation in the economic field and other sectors would further make the ties stronger between the two countries .He paid tremendous respect as well as appreciated the sacrifices made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism.Steinmeier says Kashmir dispute cannot be excluded from Pakistan-India dialogue.
“In the war of terror, Germans admire Pakistani Army’s efforts and the resilience of the nation,” said H.E. Dr. Cyrill Nunn. He further said, “I have been fortunate enough to live in shining star of Asia, Pakistan”, quoting an expression used by Dr. Annemarie Schimmel. Fight against terrorism is utmost important today and German public appreciate Pakistan’s efforts as Angela Markel said, “your security is our security”. In the wake of Peshawer attack, Germany paid condolences and condemned those who carry such heinous attacks.
“Without stable Pakistan, with it taking its full place in the region, this region will not take its strategic place” said H.E. Dr. Cyrill Nunn. Germany is committed and not running away from Afghanistan.
In a separate meeting between Advisor on National Security, Sartaj Aziz and German FM Steinmeier, followed by a joint press conference, Aziz said that international community needs to join hands to develop a strategy to counter terrorism.
Aziz went on to say that said Operation Zarb-e-Azb has broken the backbone of terrorists and is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism.The Adviser said Pakistan welcomes German investment in various sectors of economy including engineering and renewable energy.Steinmeier said Germany gives importance to its relations with Pakistan.The FM appreciated Pakistan’s achievements in the fight against terrorism and said that the world recognises its sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
He further said Kashmir dispute cannot be excluded from Pakistan-India dialogue.He pointed out that there are pressing issues between both the countries including Jammu and Kashmir.Steinmeier added that it is important for both the countries to engage in talks for the resolution of issues. Steinmeier says Kashmir dispute cannot be excluded from Pakistan-India dialogue
The EU supports the integration of Pakistan with the global economy by granting Pakistan’s exports to the EU reduced tariffs under the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences. As a result, more than 78% of Pakistan’s exports enter the EU at preferential rates. Around 80% of the textiles and clothing articles imported to the EU from Pakistan enter the EU at a preferential tariff rate. The interest of German economists in the South Asian region has engaged the country in economic diplomacy with Pakistan. This is the reason that Germany is the largest trading partner of Pakistan in Europe. It is also the fifth largest source of foreign investment in the country. Several German multinational companies have been making lucrative businesses in Pakistan for decades. Economic Relations.
The number of German companies operating in Pakistan has increased in recent years and currently remains stable. German businesses are showing growing interest in the Pakistani market, especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors. German and Pakistani companies with an interest in bilateral economic relations have joined forces to create the Pakistan German Business Forum (PGBF), which is based in Karachi and also has a branch office in Lahore.
The constantly growing number of PGBF members testifies to the increasing interest in economic exchange shown by companies in both countries. Two new organisations to promote bilateral economic relations were established in 2014. German Pakistan Trade and Invest (GPTI) in Pakistan and GATE Pakistan in Germany.
Two new organisations to promote bilateral economic relations were established in 2014. German Pakistan Trade and Invest (GPTI) in Pakistan and GATE Pakistan in Germany. The visit to Berlin and Munich by a Pakistani business delegation headed by the Chief Minister of Punjab Province, Shahbaz Sharif, in late October 2013 gave further momentum to this cooperation. The number of Pakistani companies participating in industrial fairs in Germany is constantly growing.
With its technical and financial cooPakistan is one of the first of Germany’s partner countries to benefit from innovative development funding instruments. Under the so-called debt conversion scheme, the Pakistani government is rewarded for making public investments in contractually agreed development programmes by debt cancellation worth twice the amount invested. This has enabled a total of 166 million euro to be invested in education, health care and disaster prevention up to the end of 2013. Together with the Pakistani government, Germany is also engaged in a variety of multilateral funding instruments such as the World Bank’s Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM).
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and German Deputy Development Minister, Thomas Silberhorn signed three agreements worth 60 million euro (7 billion PKR). The agreements signed between the two countries are for German development co-operation for Pakistan through KfW Development Bank. The agreements consist of a 10 million euro grant for the reintegration and rehabilitation for temporarily Displaced Persons in FATA as well as 10 million euro grant for the Regional Infrastructure Fund KP.
Moreover, a 40 million euro loan agreement for the rehabilitation of Warsak Hydropower plant, a joint project of Germany, France and the EU, was concluded. During his visit Silberhorn also met with members of the National Assembly. He held talks with Chief Minister Punjab Shabaz Sharif . Silberhorn expressed respect for Pakistan’’s structural reform efforts and the progress in the stabilisation of the country. He also emphasised the successful German-Pakistani co-operation which has been ongoing since the 1960s.
The Deputy Development Minister said: “Germany and Pakistan mutually benefit from increasingly close ties that reach from development co-operation to increased trade and intensified business contacts. Pakistan has embarked on structural reforms in the areas of governance, tax and energy which are needed to unleash Pakistan’’s full growth potential. Progress is appreciable, but more needs to be done so that all citizens of Pakistan benefit from these reforms.”