May 08, 2007	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 20, 1428

ISLAMABAD, May 7: Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mirek Topolanek is scheduled to arrive here on Tuesday on a three-day official visit, the first ever by a Czech prime minister, aimed at bolstering bilateral ties, particularly in the economic domain.

He will be accompanied by ministers of industry, trade and culture, senior government officials and several businessmen.

“Pakistan enjoys cordial and cooperative relations with the Czech Republic where the country has recently set up a diplomatic mission,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a weekly news briefing here on Monday while announcing his visit.

She said that the prime minister would also sign a number of MOUs covering bilateral cooperation in the areas of science, health, culture, diplomacy and trade during the visit.He will call on the president and prime minister, meet with the chairman of Senate and inaugurate a business seminar on strengthening bilateral cooperation in investment, trade and commercial relations.

“Besides, exchange of views on bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest including Pakistan-India relations and the composite dialogue process for resolution of all outstanding issues including Kashmir dispute, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Middle East and war against terrorism will also be discussed,” the spokesperson stated.

Senior members of the Czech prime minister’s entourage would also hold bilateral meetings with their counterparts in Islamabad, she said.

The Czech prime minister as a special goodwill gesture attended the first National Day Reception on March 23 hosted by Pakistan’s ambassador in Prague after the re-opening of Pakistan Embassy last year where appreciated Pakistan’s role in war against terrorism and its efforts towards international peace and stability.

He said that his country as a member of European Union would like to multiply its cooperation with Pakistan both individually and also within the framework of Saarc in which EU had an observer status. The country had provided timely humanitarian assistance to Pakistan following the devastating earthquake in October 2005.—Q.A.