European Union Ambassadors call on president

Islamabad, January 20, 2014 (PPI-OT): President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the grant of GSP Plus status to Pakistan demonstrated the trust and confidence of the EU countries in the quality and competitiveness of the Pakistani goods and products and expressed confidence that the facility that will remain effective from January 2014 to 2017 would provide great impetus to the government’s efforts to steer the economy towards the path of revival and stability.

The President said this during his meeting with a group of Ambassadors from European Countries at the Aiwan e Sadr today.

The delegation led by EU Ambassador, Mr. Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and included Mr. Christian Wohlmuther, Charge d’Affaires of Austria, Mr. Peter Clases, Ambassador of Belgium, Mr. Alison Blake, British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Rouman Pironcthev, Ambassador of Bulgaria, Mr. Miroslav Krenek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Ms. Inge Durant, Charge d’Affaires of Denmark, Mr. Philippe Thieband, Ambassador of France, Dr. Cyrill Jean Nunn, Ambassador of Germany, Mr. Petros Mavroidis, Ambassador of Greece, Mr. Isvan Szabo, Ambassador of Hungary, Mr. Adriano Chiodi Cianfarani, Ambassador of Italy, Mr. Marcel de Vink, Ambassador of the Netherlands, Dr. Andrzej Ananicz, Ambassador of Poland, Mr. Emilian Ion, Ambassador of Romania, Mr. Javier M. Carbajosa, Ambassador of Spain, Mr. Thomas Rosander, Ambassador of Sweden , and Mr. Jose Carneiro Mendes, Charge d’Affaires of Portugal.

From Pakistani side those present during the meeting included Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister for Commerce, Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign affairs, Mr. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhary, Foreign Secretary , Mr. Qasim M. Niaz, Secretary Commerce, Ms. Rukhsana Shah, Secretary Textile industry and Mr. Nadeem Hassan Asif, Secretary to the President.

Welcoming the EU Ambassadors, the President appreciated the European Commission, European Council, all EU Institutions and Members of European Parliament for their continued support and assistance to Pakistan for getting GSP Plus status. The President also thanked Ambassador Lars Gunnar Wigemark, EU in Islamabad for his positive role in Pakistan’s inclusion in the scheme and strengthening Pakistan-EU relations.

The President said that GSP Plus Scheme would not only help boost Pakistan’s exports to the EU countries but would also strengthen country’s economy through greater trade, increased economic activities and creating employment opportunities for the people of Pakistan.

The President noted with satisfaction the upward trajectory in Pakistan-EU relations since the return of democracy in Pakistan and expressed confidence that relations between Pakistan and European Union would continue to grow in the coming days to the mutual benefit. The President on the occasion also highlighted the present government’s priorities including revival of the economy, overcoming the energy shortage, eradicating extremism and promoting Human Rights. He reiterated government’s commitment towards good governance and introducing fiscal measures to revive and stabilize the country’s economy.

EU Ambassador, Mr. Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and the delegation thanked the President for meeting and assured support and assistance of the EU and the member countries to Pakistan in revival of the economy, promoting good governance and combating terrorism and extremism.

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