ISLAMABAD, Sep 20 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari Monday called upon the British Government and EU countries to further pursue the progress that has recently been made in EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels last Friday for granting access to Pakistani goods to the European trade markets.The grant of trade concessions to Pakistan would enable the government to generate employment opportunities in the country and look after the flood victims in various parts of the country, he added. The President said this during his meeting with Adam Thomson, British High Commissioner to Pakistan who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday.
Matters regarding rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood victims, revival of flood ravaged economy, bilateral relations, war against militants, access of Pakistani products to EU markets and regional situation were discussed during the meeting.
The President thanked UK and EU for recent progress on Pakistan’s quest for market access and said that market access would help recover country’s fragile economy that has been hardly hit by war against extremism and recent devastating floods in the country.
The President appreciated the support and assistance of the British Government for the relief and recovery of the people affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan.
The President referring to the colossal damage to lives, property, infrastructure and livestock by the devastating floods, said that catering for the needs of dislocated people and to rehabilitate them besides recreating economic opportunities for them was a gigantic task that needed special attention of the international community as it was beyond the capacity of Pakistan to handle it on its own.
The President hoped that the British government would also play its active role in garnering international support for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood victims.
The President said that the Government of Pakistan had developed a fool proof system for utilization of flood aid.
All information about the flood aid received and disbursed will be put on the web and will be accessible to everyone, he added. The President while discussing Pakistan-UK bilateral relations stressed the need to start the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries to discuss all issues and use the forum to promote relations in all fields. Adam Thomson thanked the President for meeting and assured UK’s continued support and assistance to the Government and the people of Pakistan to meet the challenges of rehabilitation of flood victims and revive flood ravaged economy. He also assured that Britain will play its role to push Pakistan’s case in the EU for grant of Pakistani goods access to EU markets – APP
The President thanked UK and EU for recent progress on Pakistan’s quest for market access and said that market access would help recover country’s fragile economy that has been hardly hit by war against extremism and recent devastating floods in the country.
The President appreciated the support and assistance of the British Government for the relief and recovery of the people affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan.
The President referring to the colossal damage to lives, property, infrastructure and livestock by the devastating floods, said that catering for the needs of dislocated people and to rehabilitate them besides recreating economic opportunities for them was a gigantic task that needed special attention of the international community as it was beyond the capacity of Pakistan to handle it on its own.
The President hoped that the British government would also play its active role in garnering international support for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood victims.
The President said that the Government of Pakistan had developed a fool proof system for utilization of flood aid.
All information about the flood aid received and disbursed will be put on the web and will be accessible to everyone, he added. The President while discussing Pakistan-UK bilateral relations stressed the need to start the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries to discuss all issues and use the forum to promote relations in all fields. Adam Thomson thanked the President for meeting and assured UK’s continued support and assistance to the Government and the people of Pakistan to meet the challenges of rehabilitation of flood victims and revive flood ravaged economy. He also assured that Britain will play its role to push Pakistan’s case in the EU for grant of Pakistani goods access to EU markets – APP
