Pakistan attaches special importance to ties with UK: FM

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Thursday that Pakistan attached special importance to its bilateral relations with the United Kingdom and desires for a strategic partnership to enhance trade and economic cooperation between both countries.

He was talking to British High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr Christian Turner who called on him in Islamabad.

The Foreign Minister said the role of 1.6 million Pakistanis diaspora living in the UK is of special significance in strengthening bilateral relations.

The British High Commissioner assured his full support for the promotion of bilateral relations between the both countries.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi talking to Romanian Ambassador Nicolae Goia in Islamabad on Thursday said Pakistan desires to boost bilateral trade and economic relations with all European countries, including Romania, under strategic partnership with European Union.

He said Islamabad wants to high level interactions and delegation level exchange between the two countries for strengthening existing relations.

The Romanian Ambassador assured that he will play his utmost role for further strengthening the bilateral relations of both the countries.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s desire to enhance trade, investment and people to people contacts with Oman. He was talking to a delegation of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Islamabad Thursday.

The Foreign Minister underlined the need for making functional Pakistan-Oman Joint Business Council. He said Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry should also participate in trade exhibitions in Pakistan.

Qureshi said Pakistan is extending facilitation including that of online visa for promotion of trade and tourism. He pointed out that Pakistan having a population of 220 million offers tremendous opportunities to the foreign investors.