Islamabad (TDI): Additional Secretary (Europe) at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, welcomed French Deputy Secretary General Ambassador David Bertolotti today in Islamabad.
During the meeting, they discussed strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation across a wide scope of areas.
The discussion particularly centered on advancing the implementation of the 2023 Pak-France Roadmap, a collaborative framework that aims to strengthen the foundation of Pakistan-France relations through diplomatic engagements, trade, climate action, education, and regional peace.
Additional Secretary (Europe), Amb. Shafqat Ali Khan, welcomed French Deputy Secretary General Amb. David Bertolotti at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. Productive discussions were held on advancing the 2023 Pak-France Roadmap, with positive progress noted in key areas.… pic.twitter.com/16QY3G52Ax
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 7, 2025
The 2023 Pak-France Roadmap is a strategic framework between Pakistan and France, signed in 2023 to enhance and deepen bilateral collaboration in multiple sectors.
The key areas of cooperation includes Political and Diplomatic Engagement, Trade and Economic Cooperation, Climate Change and Environment, Education, Cultural Exchange, Defense and Security.
Furthermore, both sides expressed their satisfaction on the positive momentum achieved since the roadmap’s launch and highlighted their dedication to continue to progress.
Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to bolstering sustainable and meaningful partnerships with European countries, particularly with France, which has consistently demonstrated its support in multilateral forums and bilateral development efforts.
Ambassador Bertolotti expressed France’s interest in furthering economic and developmental cooperation with Pakistan, highlighting the importance of regional stability and mutual respect in international diplomacy.
During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on key regional and global developments, with a focus on South Asia, Europe, and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
Pakistan and France continue to advance their longstanding bilateral relationship, building on decades of collaboration in diverse sectors including diplomacy, trade, development, cultural exchanges, education, and climate action.
Significantly, trade has remained a crucial sector of France-Pakistan relations, with textiles, leather goods, and surgical instruments being key Pakistani exports, while France contributes machinery, pharmaceuticals, and technology to Pakistani markets.
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Moreover, France also plays crucial role in Pakistan’s development journey, with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) financing major transport projects of Pakistan including the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and hydropower projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Both countries also supported defense capacity of each other with France significantly supported Pakistan in defense capacity-building through the sale and maintenance of fighter aircrafts.
In recent years, the focus has shifted towards joint efforts in counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, diplomacy, and strategic dialogues on regional security and peace.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
