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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Pakistani prime minister begins Germany visit - Summary

Berlin (Earth Times - dpa) - Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani began Monday a four-day official visit to Germany to promote economic cooperation and discuss the insurgency in the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He was set to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at her office on Tuesday. He met briefly Monday with the German foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle.

The Foreign Ministry said Westerwelle met Pakistan's foreign minister, Mahmood Qureshi, and praised Pakistan's efforts in the fight against terrorism.

Gilani told reporters before leaving that Germany was Pakistan's "important economic partner" and the main agenda of his visit would be strengthening bilateral relations especially in trade, economics, science and technology, health and education.

Germany is Pakistan's fourth-largest trading partner and its biggest in the European Union.

During his talks with Merkel, Gilani is expected to discuss the new Afghanistan and Pakistan policy that US President Barack Obama is expected to announce on Tuesday.

Pakistan has expressed concerns over the surge in western troops in Afghanistan, saying that it could create further troubles for the country struggling against Taliban militants in its tribal region adjoining Afghanistan.

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