Yousaf Raza Gilani reiterates Pakistan’s commitment to inclusive regional development
ISLAMABAD, Jan 30 (SABAH): Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan, held a bilateral meeting on Thursday with Ms. Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler, President of the Federal Council of Austria.
The meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to strengthening parliamentary ties, fostering cooperation in key sectors, and enhancing bilateral relations.
Chairman Senate conveyed warm greetings on behalf of the Parliament and the people of Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in deepening mutual understanding and cooperation. Both leaders acknowledged the steady progress in Pakistan-Austria relations and discussed avenues for expanding inter-parliamentary collaboration through the Pakistan-Austria Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Chairman Senate appreciated Austria’s support in establishing Pakistan’s Parliamentary Budget Office and urged continued technical assistance and knowledge exchange. He also highlighted Austria’s contributions in higher education, particularly through the Pakistan Austria Fachhochschule-Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST) in Haripur, and discussed opportunities for expanding academic and research collaborations.
Discussions further covered Austria’s expertise in renewable energy, industrial development, and hydroelectric power, with an emphasis on forging stronger economic and trade partnerships. Chairman Senate underscored Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable development and called for joint efforts in tackling global challenges such as climate change, renewable energy, and technical education.
The role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) was also highlighted as a key initiative for promoting investment and economic collaboration between Pakistan and Austria. Chairman Senate reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to inclusive regional development and welcomed Austria’s cooperation in this regard.
Cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts were identified as vital aspects of strengthening bilateral ties. Chairman Senate recalled the contributions of Austrian-born figures to Pakistan’s history and emphasized the potential for tourism, cultural diplomacy, and academic partnerships.
In conclusion, Chairman Senate extended an invitation to Ms. Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler to visit Pakistan, reaffirming Pakistan’s desire to enhance parliamentary cooperation and foster a strong partnership with Austria.