Islamabad, 2 August 2021 (TDI): On Monday, a meeting was held between the Belgian Ambassador in Pakistan Philippe Bronchain and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javaid Bajwa.
The officials discussed the bilateral relations between the two states and cooperation between NATO and Pakistan. The Belgium Embassy appreciated Pakistan’s support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan and the Resolute Support Mission (RSM).
Both officials also exchanged their views on the situation of regional security and unsettling developments going on in Afghanistan.
The army chief expressed these views during a meeting with Belgian Ambassador Philippe Bronchain who called on the COAS here at GHQ, said an ISPR news release.
The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s sincere efforts for bringing peace and stability to the region, especially the Afghan peace process.
Both sides reiterated the commitment to enhance bilateral relationships at all tiers.
During the meeting, matters of mutual interest and regional security, including the latest Afghanistan situation and enhanced bilateral and defense cooperation were discussed.
Pakistan-Belgium Defence ties
Pakistan values its relations with the EU and earnestly looks forward to enhancing mutual cooperation based on common interests.
Belgium has always appreciated the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and Islamabad’s sincere efforts for regional peace and stability They also reiterated earnest desire for enhancing bilateral cooperation with Pakistan in all domains.
Belgium is the sixth-largest European importer of Pakistani goods, and the bilateral trade between the two is approaching US$600 million. During the 2010 Pakistan floods, Belgium provided aid worth €4.6 million to Pakistan.
Belgium is also home to a large number of Pakistanis 19,247 (2012 official estimate). In 2007, 666 Pakistani citizens were granted Belgian citizenship, making them the highest Asian recipients of Belgian citizenship in 2007.
Pakistan’s diplomatic post in Belgium is important because Brussels is the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, among many other international organizations with which Pakistan maintains close contact. Pakistan has often lobbied to gain Belgium’s support in establishing the Pakistan-EU Free Trade agreement, as Belgium is the center of European politics and policymaking.
