PM Shehbaz appreciates Germany’s support to Pakistan for GSP Plus status in the European Union
SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Nov 08, (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral relations with Germany especially in the areas of trade, investment, climate change and renewable energy.
He was talking to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Sharm Al Sheikh, Egypt on Tuesday on the sidelines of the COP-27 Summit. The two leaders reviewed the bilateral relations and considered the possibilities of increasing cooperation.
Regional and global issues of mutual interests were also discussed during the meeting.
Emphasizing the need to benefit from the youth population of Pakistan, the Prime Minister said both the countries should cooperate extensively to provide opportunities to the youth in various fields.
Expressing his gratitude for the technical training support provided by Germany to Pakistan over the years, Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need for exchange of knowledge.
He was also appreciative of Germany’s support to Pakistan for GSP Plus status in the European Union saying it is beneficial for both the countries.
The Prime Minister said regardless of Pakistan’s minimal role in the emission of greenhouse gases, Pakistan is being severely impacted by natural disasters resulting from climate change.
He thanked Germany for its assistance to Pakistan in the wake of recent climate induced floods. He also briefed the German Chancellor on the government’s rehabilitation and reconstruction plan.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the COP27 should take bold decisions to deal with the issue of climate change, especially the damage and loss caused by it.
Alluding to the situation in the region, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan had been facilitating the withdrawal from Afghanistan at the request of foreign governments including Germany. He said the international community’s engagement with the interim Afghan government is of utmost importance in view of the humanitarian and economic situation in the country.
The German Chancellor reiterated his position of representative government and respect for human rights in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif drew the attention of German Chancellor to the situation in Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir saying that regional peace and stability are at stake as a result of it.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the international community to focus on climate justice as Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change despite being only one percent contributor to it.
He was addressing Roundtable Conference on Climate Change and Sustainability of Vulnerable communities on the sidelines of COP 27 Summit in Sharm Al Sheikh, Egypt on Tuesday.
The conference was jointly chaired by Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Norway.
Talking about devastation of floods in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan has suffered a loss of more than 30 billion dollars due to heavy magnitude of devastated floods.
Sharif said more than 4 million acres standing crops of the country destroyed due to climate induced floods. He said the government is working in its full capacity for the relief and rehabilitation of flood affectees.