21 July 2004	Wednesday	03 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, July 20: German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer will begin a three-day visit to Pakistan from July 21 for talks on counter-terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation and other bilateral and regional issues, a foreign office spokesman announced on Tuesday.

Mr Fischer will hold formal talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, and is also expected to meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain during his visit, which is part of an Asian tour.

"The visit of the German foreign minister is a reflection of the close relationship between the two countries," the spokesman said in a statement. "As a leading partner in the international coalition on war against terrorism, reconstruction in Afghanistan and establishment of peace and security in South Asia, Germany has been showing keen interest in further strengthening relations with Pakistan," he added. -dpa