Rawalpindi, 20 October 2022 (TDI): The Ambassador of Belgium to Pakistan, Charles Joseph M Delogne, paid a visit to General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), at the General Headquarters (GHQ) today.
The meeting between the two sides focused on issues of common interest, the regional security situation, as well as improved bilateral and defense cooperation.
The visiting dignitary also conveyed his dismay over the destruction wrought by floods in Pakistan and offered his condolences to the victims’ families.
Aside from that, the dignitary also praised Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional stability. In this vein, he offered to play his part in strengthening relations with Pakistan at all levels.
Pakistan-Belgium Relations
Pakistan and Belgium maintain cordial and mutually beneficial diplomatic ties with one another. The two also maintain diplomatic presence; Pakistan in Brussels and Belgium in Islamabad.
Furthermore, Belgium is the sixth-largest European importer of Pakistani commodities, with bilateral commerce of nearly US$600 million. During the 2010 Pakistan floods, Belgium gave €4.6 million in aid to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s diplomatic mission in Belgium is vital because Brussels hosts the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, among many other international organizations with which Pakistan maintains close contact.
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Pervez Musharraf, the former president of Pakistan, visited Belgium as part of his European tour IN 2008, which also included visits to the UK, France, and Sweden.
During his stay, he met Guy Verhofstadt, the Prime Minister of Belgium at the time, in Brussels to discuss issues pertaining to trade and defense cooperation.
Earlier this year, in February Belgium and Pakistan, resolved to improve their military-to-military ties, particularly in the areas of defense production, training, counterterrorism, and intelligence.
The commitment was made while the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, General Qamar Javed Bajwa was visiting the country.
During his visit, he met with the Belgian Defense Minister; Ludivine Dedonder, the Chief of Defence; Admiral Michel Hofman, and the Chief of Staff of Belgium’s Land Component; Major General Pierre Gerard.
