January 23, 2002	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 8, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz met German Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Economic Development on Tuesday in Tokyo and discussed with her ways and means to boost mutual economic and trade cooperation and other issues of interest.

According to a handout issued by the ministry of finance, Mr Aziz also briefed German minister on the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

The German minister said that her government would support Pakistan in its economic and social reform drive. She particularly lauded President Musharraf’s Jan 12 speech. Mr Aziz also attended the concluding session of the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan.

He was accompanied by deputy chairman planning commission, Dr Shahid Amjad Chaudhry and Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan Touqir Hussain.

Aziz, who arrived here on Jan 19 to attend the conference, also held bilateral meeting with Thai foreign minister and discussed with him bilateral economic relations and other matters of mutual interest.

The finance minister briefed Thai foreign minister on Pakistan’s economic reforms agenda and measures undertaken by the government.

In this connection both sides agreed to further boost bilateral economic cooperation in various areas and to exchange experiences in the promotion of small and medium-size enterprises, uplift of rural areas and eradication of poverty.