OTTAWA: Pakistan and Canada Wednesday reviewed the ways and means for expanding bilateral relations, strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries. The third round of Pakistan-Canada Bilateral Consultations was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which Pakistan delegation was led by Additional Secretary (Americas) Burhanul Islam while the Canadian side was led by Susan Gregson, Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific and Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Canada.
According to Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah, the consultations covered entire range of bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest. In the meeting, he said that the two sides underscored the importance they attaches to building a broad-based relationship marked by multifaceted cooperation in different fields.
He said that the delegations discussed options to expand bilateral cooperation, adding the talks focused on exchange of high level visits, exchange of parliamentary delegations, strengthening of economic relations, including proposals to enhance trade and investments links and energy cooperation between the two countries. “Measures to deepen cooperation in the fields of economy, security and defence, education, banking, science & technology, information technology and culture and media, were also discussed”, the spokesperson said, adding the two sides reviewed the status of existing MoUs and agreements and also shared draft MoUs on cultural cooperation and cooperation in the field of Science and Technology.
In this endeavour, the two sides agreed to work towards reinforcing cooperation in mutually agreed areas through intensified bilateral interaction at the senior official levels, he added. He further said that the two sides also shared their perspective on various regional and international issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to promote peace and stability in the region.
It was agreed that the next round of bilateral consultations will be held in Ottawa on mutually agreed dates, he added. Meanwhile, Susan Gregson called on the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi. During the meeting, bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues of mutual interest were discussed, said the spokesperson.
While briefing the Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister stated that relations between Pakistan and Canada are based on strong foundation of friendship, mutual respect and cooperation.
Fatemi underscored the need to increase interaction at higher political level and through exchange of parliamentary and business delegations. Both sides have close cooperation at bilateral, regional and international fora and are partners to promote global and regional peace and stability. Together with the international community, both countries are determined to address the issue of terrorism. The Special Assistant also briefed her on various initiatives taken by the government for revival of the economy, promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, and improving relations with India through resolution of all outstanding issues and dialogue, for the benefit of the people of South Asia.
