NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spent a busy day at the United Nations on Tuesday, meeting with his counterparts from some European, Central Asian and African countries on advancing bilateral relationships in economic and diplomatic fields.

In a meeting with the Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi, the top Pakistani diplomat, who is accompanying President Asif Ali Zardari to UN General Assembly session, discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the recent elections in that country.

They discussed prospects of bringing 4000 MW electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan with the Tajik diplomat reiterating his country’s desire to supply electricity to Pakistan as it has surplus power.

Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined the need for starting negotiations on free trade agreement as a framework to bolster commerce between the two countries.

Qureshi and Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spndelegger also discussed bilateral relations. The foreign minister briefed his Austrian counterpart on Pakistan’s successful anti-terrorism efforts in Swat.

He reiterated Islamabad’s call for getting greater access to the robust European market, saying expansion in trade will help spur economic growth and bring employment to people. The foreign minister said Pakistan is pleased that the European Union has agreed to start negotiations on the subject.

Meanwhile, Qureshi said, Pakistan wants to avail GSP facility.

Foreign Minister Qureshi also had a meeting with an Italian parliamentary delegation, led by its former foreign minister and exchanged views on UN Security Council reforms.

The Italian parliamentarians were appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts in fight against terrorism and expressed their support for Islamabad’s desire for greater access to the European market. The members of the Italian delegation said they see Pakistan as aprospective and attractive investment destination.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani foreign minister and his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit also exchanged views on expanding bilateral economic cooperation and agreed that the joint ministerial commission should meet at the earliest.

The Egyptian diplomat extended an invitation to Shah Mahmood Qureshi to visit Cairo at his earliest convenience.

Discussing growing level of Egyptian investment in Pakistan, Gheit said Egyptian entrepreneurs see Pakistan as a lucrative investment destination.

Qureshi briefed the Egyptian foreign minister about Pakistan-India relations and the situation in Afghanistan. — APP