Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri has met his counterparts from different countries on the sidelines of the Asia and Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Hamburg, an official statement said. He met Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, who said Pakistan is an important moderate Islamic state and Japan welcomes it into ASEM forum. Kasuri thanked Japan for its cooperation and support at ASEAN and ASEM. He apprised his Japanese counterpart of the consistent economic development over past six years. He said that Pakistan has an average growth rate of 6.8 and there is 200 percent increase in foreign direct investment (FDI). The foreign minister said that Islamic world was facing many challenges in the age of globalization and needs cooperation from US, Japan and Europe to overcome these challenges. In this regard, he emphasised the need of resolving political problems faced by the Islamic world. He stressed the need for more economic cooperation between the Islamic countries and developed nations. He said that to root out extremism from the Islamic countries, it is imperative to address the issue of economic deprivation prevailing and political disputes. Kasuri also met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met. They agreed to raise economic cooperation to strategic level. Kasuri congratulated the Chinese Foreign Minister on his recent assumption of office as Foreign Minister. He said that Pakistan and China are good friends and have longstanding commitment for mutual cooperation. The Foreign Minister also expressed his thanks to his Chinese counterpart for providing support to Pakistan to become a member of ASEM. Kasuri highlighted important areas of existing cooperation between Pakistan and China and assured his counterpart to further enhance these relations. The Chinese Foreign Minister said that China was pleased that Pakistan has become a member of ASEM and hope that Pakistan will make useful contribution in this important multilateral form. Kasuri also met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxemburg Jean Asselborn. They exchanged views regarding bilateral cooperation and the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. Kasuri apprised the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxemburg of the consistent economic development of Pakistan during last six years. He said that Pakistan want to expand its trade with European Union. He stated that we want a level playing field in bilateral trade. Kasuri also met with the Foreign Minister of Estonia Urmas Pat. He said that Pakistan wants market access in the EU and level playing field in trade. He said that Pakistan wants Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU if this facility is offered to other countries of the region. The Minister also apprised him of the economic development in Pakistan during last six years. The Foreign Minister stated that Pakistan has suffered a lot due to instability in Afghanistan since invasion of Soviet Union in 1979. He said that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan s interest. The Estonian Foreign Minister said that his country as a coalition partner and a member of NATO has deployed 130 troops in Afghanistan and want to see peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said that Estonian has keen interest to develop cordial and cooperative relations with Pakistan. He assured the Minister that his country will support justice and equity regarding trade of EU with other countries including Pakistan.
