LAHORE, July 26: German Ambassador Dr Christoph Brummer sought on Saturday to dispel the impression that his country had imposed any sanction or ban on aid or defence cooperation with Pakistan.

Speaking at a meeting of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here on Saturday, Ambassador Brummer said all media reports in respect of German restrictions on military cooperation or aid to Pakistan were distorted.

Germany had a restricted military equipment export policy. The delivery of the parts of radar system purchased by Pakistan from his country in 1970s had been suspended after the military takeover here. His government had now decided to take up the issue of resumption of supplies with the Pakistan government after the visit of President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

He said that the western nations did not perceive military takeover in any part of the world positively. German functionaries, too, had reservations about having direct contacts with Pakistan after the military takeover.

President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s recent visit to Germany had, however, helped in ending misgivings.

He said that the impression about suspension of aid to Pakistan was also erroneous. The German Government had not shut down any of its aid projects in Pakistan. Only the NWFP government had shut down a project for providing shelter to women being executed with the German assistance.

Germany was no more spending any money on the project in the NWFP but the assistance was continuing for all other projects uninterrupted.

He said that Berlin wanted Islamabad to have a strong and stable democratic setup instead of a hung parliament or a tailored democracy. A strong democracy and parliament in Pakistan would find partners in Germany and other western countries.

About the economic cooperation, the ambassador said that the German Commerce Minister would soon discuss signing of an investment protection agreement with his Pakistani counterpart because the previous agreement was not satisfactory.

The German government would also discuss the issue of double taxation with the Pakistan government for boosting bilateral trade.

Ambassador Brummer also proposed restructuring of the Pak-German Business Forum for the purpose.

He said that the Pakistan government should ensure quick disposal of pending trade disputes for restoring the confidence of foreign investors.