BERLIN: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Pakistan wants to have more economic linkages with Germany for enhancement of bilateral trade and investment.

He was addressing a joint news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas after delegation level talks in Berlin on Monday.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said there are great opportunities for Germany to invest in Pakistan in various areas, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, information technology and tourism.

He said he has apprised his German counterpart about the shift in Pakistan's policy from geo-politics to geo-economics, the government's focus on economic diplomacy and the new incentives being offered to investors.

Referring to the regional security situation, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said India will have to take the first step to create an enabling and conducive environment for talks with Pakistan after India's action about Kashmir on August 5, 2019. He said Pakistan wants to have peaceful relations with all the countries, including India. He said all issues can be resolved through dialogue.

The Minister said the objectives of Pakistan and Germany about Afghanistan are identical. He said we want peace, stability and progress in Afghanistan. He said Germany has important role in stabilizing situation in Afghanistan. He said we will remain in touch on Afghan issue.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked Germany for supporting Pakistan at FATF and also its support to grant EU GSP Plus status to Pakistan. He also thanked Germany for providing fifteen million anti-Covid-19 doses to Pakistan.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said his visit is taking place when Pakistan and Germany are celebrating 70 years of their diplomatic relations, and its logo has also been made public.

Speaking on the occasion, the German Foreign Minister said the two sides held constructive discussion on enhancing bilateral trade and investment. He said Pakistan is of great importance for Germany.

The German Foreign Minister said Pakistan has played great efforts for peaceful solution to the conflict in Afghanistan. He said any situation in Afghanistan influences intensively Pakistan.

The German foreign minister termed the visit of FM Qureshi a “good opportunity” for launch of new German initiatives and projects in Pakistan. FM Heiko Maas expressed satisfaction over the interest of 35 German companies ready to make investment in Pakistan and said the encouraging trend would help “tap into immense potential”.

“Constructive discussion held with FM Qureshi on diverse matters. Germany wanted to build up cooperation with Pakistan,” he remarked.

German Foreign Minister Maas on security situation in Afghanistan acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution towards restoration of peace in its neighbouring country and for hosting three million Afghan refugees. NNI