Pakistan, France sign ‘roadmap’ for deepening ties

Pakistan and France on Friday signed a “roadmap for bilateral cooperation” envisaging deepening relations in all fields.

The announcement was made on the conclusion of the 14th spherical of Pakistan-France bilateral political consultations held in Paris. International Secretary Dr Asad Majeed Khan led the Pakistan facet whereas Secretary-Common of the Ministry for Europe and International Affairs Anne-Marie Descôtes led the French facet. Ambassador of Pakistan to France Asim Iftikhar Ahmad and different senior officers assisted the International Secretary.

As per the official handout issued by the international workplace, with shared need and dedication to bolster ties, Pakistan and France signed on this event, the ‘Roadmap for Bilateral Cooperation’ that envisages deepening relations in all fields of mutual curiosity together with high-level exchanges and cooperation in political, financial, growth, science and know-how, training, tradition, tourism, defence, safety and counter-terrorism, migration, local weather change and multilateral domains.

The 2 sides had a complete trade of views on bilateral cooperation, and regional and multilateral points.

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The international secretary conveyed Pakistan’s profound appreciation for President Macron’s participation within the Geneva Convention on January 9, 2023, and the robust assist pledged by France for the resilient reconstruction of flood-affected areas of Pakistan.

Noting that the assembly between President Macron and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in New York on the sidelines of the UNGA in September 2022 had imparted recent momentum, the international secretary careworn the significance of normal high-level political contacts to supply steerage and impetus for enhancing broad-based mutually helpful partnership between the 2 international locations.

The 2 sides additionally highlighted the significance of parliamentary contacts in deepening political ties and advancing multi-dimensional relations.

Whereas underscoring the precedence connected to financial, commerce and funding relations, the 2 sides agreed to reinforce cooperation in vitality, IT, agriculture and livestock, tourism and different sectors.

They mentioned arranging devoted commerce occasions and the trade of enterprise delegations to maintain the constructive trajectory of bilateral commerce and funding lately.

The international secretary underscored the significance of GSP Plus as a commerce promotion and growth software, which has been helpful for each Pakistan and the European Union.

He additionally appreciated the French Improvement Company’s cooperation in renewable vitality, city growth, mass transport and preservation of nationwide heritage in Pakistan, noting the potential for additional growth of AfD’s portfolio within the nation in areas of mutual curiosity.

The 2 sides took inventory of the present bilateral defence and safety cooperation. They agreed to keep up and additional nurture long-standing defence ties and reinforce cooperation on counter-terrorism. In addition they exchanged views on UN peacekeeping within the context of multilateral motion for the upkeep of worldwide peace and safety.

The international secretary briefed his French counterpart on the regional scenario and the challenges associated to the upkeep of peace and safety within the area.

They exchanged views on the scenario in Afghanistan. The international secretary additionally careworn that the decision of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the related UN Safety Council resolutions and the needs of the Kashmiri folks was elementary for lasting peace and stability in South Asia.

The 2 sides agreed to carry the fifteenth spherical of BPC in Islamabad subsequent yr.

The connection between Pakistan and France remained low-key in the course of the PTI authorities. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan as soon as even refused to attend the phone name of the French president.

Nevertheless, high-level exchanges between the 2 international locations resumed after the change of presidency.