ISLAMABAD, May 23: German Foreign Minister Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday offered a mediatory role between Pakistan and Afghanistan by inviting foreign ministers of the two countries to the G8 meeting on May 30 to sort out their differences.
Speaking at a press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri after formal talks at the Foreign Office, he called for better cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan at their border to check illegal cross-border movement.
He underlined the need for a regional approach to resolve the Afghan problem for which engaging neighbours was of vital importance. “The key factor is to have better relations and increased contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
He said that both Pakistan and Afghan foreign ministers had agreed to attend the G8 meeting to promote peace in the region.
Responding to a question, he said there were no occupation forces in Afghanistan, adding that foreign forces deployed there were meant to help in peace and reconstruction and avoid return of Taliban.
He said that Amir Cheema, a Pakistani national who died in jail, was detained in Germany after reports that he intended to carry out a terrorist attack, adding that investigation reports about the cause of his death had been shared with Pakistan.Mr Steinmeier said the European Union had decided to increase assistance for Pakistan and the country would now receive 200 million euros over the next three years.
He said Germany was concerned about the incidents in Karachi and called for free and fair elections in Pakistan. He said the internal situation in Pakistan came under discussion during the meting. Mr Kasuri assured the German minister that the forthcoming election would be free, fair and transparent and that Pakistan would welcome foreign observers.
Mr Steinmeier said his country was keen to enhance economic and commercial relations with Pakistan and disclosed that the two countries had agreed to establish a joint chamber of commerce to help strengthen trade cooperation.
Foreign Minister Kasuri said Germany was Pakistan’s second largest trading partner in Europe and one of the largest in the world, with bilateral trade touching the $2-billion mark.
He said they discussed cooperation in trade, investment, education, defence, culture, healthcare, railways, power generation, engineering and oil and gas sectors.
Mr Kasuri said Pakistan was interested in opening of an office of the German Academic Exchange Service in Pakistan to promote relations in the field of education.
He said that more than 229 officers of Pakistan armed forces had received training in Germany, while 26 German officers had attended the Staff College Quetta and the National Defence College.
Mr Kasuri said there were also possibilities of cooperation between the two countries in defence procurement.
