ISLAMABAD: Germany said on Monday that political consultations with Pakistan constituted the next step towards strategic dialogue between the two countries.

“Germany’s Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Ederer’s visit forms the next step of the strategic dialogue between Germany and Pakistan,” the German embassy said in a statement on the second round of annual bilateral political consultations.

During the consultations, Pakistani side was led by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, while Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Markus Ederer headed Germany’s delegation.

Pakistan and Germany had in 2012 signed a roadmap for a strategic dialogue aimed at deepening of bilateral ties.

The two countries had signed a roadmap in 2012 for a strategic dialogue aimed at deepening of ties

“Germany and Pakistan are very good partners in many fields. Our strategic dialogue will help...intensify these relations,” Dr Ederer said after his meetings in Islamabad.

Germany, he said, was ready to help Pakistan “address the root causes and symptoms of the human suffering through annual floods”.

Besides co-chairing the political consultations with Foreign Secretary Chaudhry, Dr Ederer met Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif.

Mr Aziz invited German investment in the country, especially in the field of renewable energy. He also sought German collaboration in development of vocational training institutions.

Earlier during the consultations, a foreign ministry spokesperson said: “The two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and looked into various possibilities of extending cooperation in political, economic, cultural and educational fields. It was agreed that the two countries will focus on areas of, inter-alia, trade facilitation, investment promotion, vocations training, renewable energy, water and disaster management.”

The two sides also exchanged views on global and regional issues.

GHQ: Dr Ederer, accompanied by head of Germany’s Taskforce on Afghanistan and Pakistan Thomas Zahneisen and Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Cyrill Nunn, met Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters.

“During the meeting, views were exchanged on matters of mutual interest, including ongoing Operation Zarb-i-Azb and latest situation in Afghanistan,” the ISPR said.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2014