Pakistan seeks German defence equipment
January 9th, 2011 - 3:23 pm ICT by IANSIslamabad, Jan 9 (IANS) Pakistan has asked Germany to allow export of defence equipment to enhance its capacity to fight terrorism, a media report said Sunday. “Pakistan urges Germany to liberalise its export control policy towards it so that we could get export licences for defence equipment … to enhance our capacity to counter terrorism,” Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Saturday at a joint press conference here with his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle after their bilateral talks.
The talks focused on a Pakistani proposal for initiating a strategic dialogue, enhancing investment, strengthening economic ties and boosting defence cooperation, Dawn News reported.
Pakistan has been uneasy over European countries’ reluctance to meet its defence and security needs while asking it to intensify its counter-terrorism efforts.
According to sources, the German foreign minister, who is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, informed Qureshi that European Union’s restrictions on arms export were stopping his country from considering Pakistan’s request for defence equipment.
However, Westerwelle reiterated Berlin’s desire to extend full support to Islamabad in its fight against terrorism. He also spoke about the need for cooperation between Pakistan and Germany for fighting terrorism.
“Our common engagement is necessary to fight against every terrorist attack. And we very much appreciate the efforts Pakistan is making in the fight against terrorism. We encourage Pakistan and Afghanistan to cooperate closely in the interest of security and stability. And in Germany you have friends who will support in this way.”
The two sides also discussed the situation in Afghanistan.
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