Islamabad, 8 June 2022 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock yesterday, at Foreign Office and held extensive discussions.
The two sides had an extensive exchange of ideas on numerous aspects of bilateral relations during the delegation-level talks.
During the meeting, they gave particular focus on strengthening cooperation in the domains of trade and investment, climate change, and renewable energy.
FM @BBhuttoZardari received FM @ABaerbock at Ministry today.
📍@GermanyinPAK
📍@PakinGermany_🇵🇰🤝🇩🇪#PakGermanDosti pic.twitter.com/BMytXexjvE
— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) June 7, 2022
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan believes regular high-level contacts, which have gained steady momentum in recent years, will develop bilateral relations even further.
In addition, Foreign Minister Bilawal praised German businesses conducting business in Pakistan and encouraged more to take advantage of the country’s pro-business policies.
Joint Press Conference
During a press conference, both sides exchanged views on regional and international issues as well as mutual cooperation in different fields.
Pleasure to host @ABaerbock in 🇵🇰. We discussed issues of mutual importance including renewable energy, trade & investments, conflict in #Ukraine, crisis in #Afghanistan & worsening HRVs in #IIOJK. Looking forward to working together to strengthen #PakGerman relations. 🇵🇰 🤝 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/vnGq8msUqZ
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 7, 2022
Regional and International Issues
In the regional context, Foreign Minister Bilawal emphasized the importance of the international community banding together to confront Afghanistan’s severe humanitarian situation.
The release of Afghan financial assets, according to Foreign Minister Bilawal, is critical to the economy’s stabilization. He also stated that Pakistan continues to give humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.
During a discussion on the situation in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Bilawal expressed Pakistan’s concern about the military conflict continuing.
The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s principled position, saying that a solution must be reached via conversation and diplomacy.
Foreign Minister Bilawal went on to say that the conflict’s effects were being felt well beyond Europe, as far as Pakistan, due to increased gasoline and food prices.
Furthermore, Foreign Minister Bilawal remarked that Pakistan had donated relief items and humanitarian aid to the affected Ukrainian people in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, despite Pakistan’s own economic woes.
He also talked about serious violations of human rights in IIOJK, the rise of Islamophobia in India, as shown by recent offensive comments made by two BJP leaders about the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), and the dangers these things pose to peace and stability.
Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari holds talks with Foreign Minister of Germany @ABaerbock pic.twitter.com/RiR0p0s3tI
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 7, 2022
In response, the Foreign Minister of Germany, Annalena Baerbock thanked Pakistan for helping to get people out of Afghanistan, including foreigners.
Pakistani Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told the Germans that the evacuation request would be supported.
Main Purpose of the German Foreign Minister’s Visit
Annalena Baerbock wanted to put more pressure on the Afghan Taliban on human rights, and it was to be one of the main topics of discussion during the Foreign Minister’s trip to Pakistan.
In the same way, Baerbock sees Pakistan as a critical partner in the evacuation of people in need of protection from neighboring Afghanistan.
Pakistan has been hit more by the situation in Afghanistan than any other country, and “at the same time, is a critical partner for us in transporting people out of Afghanistan to safety, for whom we bear responsibility,” she said ahead of her tour on Monday.
Because she tested positive for COVID, all of her remaining engagements on her tour were canceled, according to the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Baerbock had intended to travel to Greece and Turkey after staying in Pakistan until Wednesday.
Pakistan-Germany Diplomatic Relations
In 2021, Pakistan and Germany will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations. The two countries marked the occasion appropriately with a series of activities hosted in Pakistan and Germany.
Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the Federal Republic of Germany in October 1951. Pakistan’s main trading partner in the EU is now Germany. Pakistan is an important partner for Germany, particularly in terms of regional stability.
Cooperation in Security Policy
The Frigate Bayern‘s visit to Karachi in early September 2021 highlighted the need for security policy coordination.
Its mission was a significant contribution to the implementation of Indo-Pacific policy guidelines. They want to improve security policy collaboration in the area, among other things.
Cooperation for Development
The Pakistani nation was one of the first nations with whom the German Federal Republic established development cooperation in 1961.
This collaboration focuses on themes such as sustainable economic policies, energy policy, and good governance. Climate change challenges are likewise a top priority.
In the cultural sphere, the Goethe Institute in Karachi and the Annemarie-Schimmel-Haus in Lahore are important. The German Academic Exchange Service and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, in particular, help to make academic exchange possible.
The German Foreign Minister’s trip is part of regular high-level talks between the two countries and is meant to give a boost to the many different ways that Pakistan and Germany work together.
