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| July 06, 2006 | Thursday | Jumadi-ul-Sani 9, 1427 |
France to help set up engineering varsity in Karachi
PARIS, July 5: France will help Pakistan in setting up a university of engineering and sciences in Karachi as the two countries have decided to enhance their bilateral economic, defence, scientific and educational cooperation.
Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri and his French counterpart Douste-Blazy, during their meeting in Paris on Tuesday, discussed the whole range of bilateral relations.
Expressing satisfaction over growing bilateral trade which has crossed $1 billion mark, Mr Douste-Blazy said that France was also encouraging its private sector to invest in Pakistan and leading French firms, including Carrefour, Alcatel and Renault were setting up or expanding their operations in Pakistan.
He congratulated Pakistan on its elections to the newly formed Human Rights Council and commended Pakistan’s role in peacekeeping operations, under UN’s arrangements around the world.
Mr Kasuri recalled Mr Douste-Blazy’s visit to Pakistan to attend the International Donor’s Conference in November 2005 and the substantial French contribution to earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts.
The French minister said his country would work on concrete projects for rehabilitation of quake-hit people. He appreciated the expanding cooperation between Pakistan and France in the field of higher education and said that France would help Pakistan set up a university of engineering and sciences in Karachi.
It may be recalled that the number of Pakistani students coming to France for higher education has jumped to 150 in recent past.
The two foreign ministers held in-depth discussions on the latest developments in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and the Middle East as well as on proposed UN reforms. Mr Kasuri highlighted the need for a more representative United Nations Security Council and for a consensus-based approach on related issues.
The French foreign minister accepted Mr Kasuri’s invitation to visit Pakistan at mutually convenient dates. The talks were held in cordial atmosphere.
MEDIA BRIEFING: Mr Kasuri held at a breakfast meeting with leading French media personalities including representatives of Le Figaro, Le Monde, Liberation, AFP, Reuters, Le Point, Le Journal du Dimanche, France-2 TV and Radio France Info.
He briefed media on the expanding relations between Pakistan and France in the areas of trade, investment, education, defence, and scientific and technical cooperation.
He also highlighted Pakistan’s contributions to the stability and development in Afghanistan and expanding commercial and development cooperation between the two countries.
On Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the minister briefed the media on the composite dialogue and confidence building measures between Pakistan and India.
He emphasized the need for a meaningful dialogue to resolve core issues including Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Kasuri also highlighted Pakistan’s geo-economic importance as a regional hub for trade and commerce, particularly in the area of energy cooperation.—APP
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