https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191
By Shabbir Hussain
ISLMABAD, Feb 18 ( Alliance News): After assuming the charge of his office German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development paid his maiden visit to Pakistan Jochen Flasbarth said that the country( Pakistan) plays an important role in stability and development in the entire region.
While talking to Alliance News correspondent ,State Secretary Flasbarth said “My first trip abroad as State Secretary in the German Development Ministry is to Pakistan, with good reason: the country plays an important role in stability and development in the entire region. At the same time, Pakistan is facing major challenges.”
Among other things, he said ” the Germany want to consolidate and further develop the good cooperation with Pakistan”.
In many area where Germany and Pakistan were working together like German-Pakistani climate and energy partnership, adding “We now have a good basis for supporting Pakistan in fulfilling its obligations under the Paris climate agreement and taking measures for the Implementing adaptation to climate change”.
Of course, he said ” the climate-friendly restructuring of the economy and energy supply must be designed in a socially responsible manner. That’s why Germany also support the development and expansion of social security systems in Pakistan.”
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood met with German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development Jochen Flasbarth, During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional issues.
The Foreign Secretary stated that Germany was a valued, long-standing partner and Pakistan remained committed to further enhancing the bilateral relationship in all dimensions.
In 2021, the two countries celebrated 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations. He added that Pakistan enjoyed multi-faceted cooperation with Germany and was resolved to further deepen it, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, climate change and energy.
The Foreign Secretary added that Pakistan valued Germany’s role as a development partner for over six decades. The Foreign Secretary highlighted Pakistan’s shift to geo-economics.
Noting that Germany was the largest trading partner of Pakistan within EU, he hoped that more German companies would take advantage of business friendly policies of the government.
The Foreign Secretary also appreciated Germany’s steadfast support for GSP+ status to Pakistan. During the exchange of views on regional situation, the Foreign Secretary hoped that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would result in greater regional integration and connectivity.
Pakistan was committed to supporting the international community’s efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Afghanistan. He emphasized the urgency to assist 40 million Afghan people in order to prevent a humanitarian crisis and economic meltdown.
The State Secretary appreciated Pakistan’s assistance in its evacuation operations from Afghanistan and hoped for Pakistan’s continued support in this regard. Pakistan and Germany enjoy excellent relations bilaterally as well as in the context of the EU.
Germany is an important trading and development partner, one of the largest investors in Pakistan, and has a sizable Pakistani Diaspora
State Secretary Flasbarth said that Pakistan -Germany focus on joint commitment to address the issue of climate protection and social security.
State Secretary Flasbarth also hold meetings with among others, Minister for Climate Protection Malik Amin Aslam, Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar and Minister for Poverty Reduction and Social Security Sania Nishtar.
State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany Jochen Flasbarth has said that Germany would provide further assistance to Pakistan for social sector including education and health, green energy, urban infrastructure, digital governance and Start-Up Pakistan Programme.
The German state secretary said this while talking to Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan in Islamabad.
Flasbarth expressed satisfaction at the trajectory of bilateral cooperation in different areas and discussed the ways to further enhance the bilateral technical and financial cooperation.
Accompanied 🇩🇪delegation headed by State Sec. @JochenFlasbarth to #OneWindowEhsaas Centre in Isb. Impressed by the @SaniaNishtar-led comprehensive approach to social welfare!Grateful to govt for making social protection top priority.🇩🇪 looks forward to continued good cooperation! pic.twitter.com/0bC1QM1vN6
— Bernhard Schlagheck (@GermanyinPAK) February 17, 2022
He also holds talks with the international organizations and development banks that are active on the ground.
Pakistan and Germany have been development policy partners for over 60 years. After the USA and Great Britain, Germany is the third largest bilateral donor in development cooperation with Pakistan.
German development cooperation is currently concentrating on the three priority areas of climate and energy, good governance, and education and sustainable economic development.
In the climate and energy sector, for example, the BMZ finances small hydropower plants and solar systems for the decentralized and sustainable energy supply of remote communities.
In addition, the BMZ supports selected provinces and the Pakistani climate change ministry in climate adaptation and climate risk management. As part of the new German-Pakistani climate partnership, the BMZ is focusing its efforts even more on Pakistani initiatives and priorities such as climate finance or the implementation of national climate protection contributions (NDCs).
The BMZ is already financing the national lighthouse project for reforestation “10 Billion Tree Tsunami” with 36 million euros.
In the area of social security, the BMZ is promoting, among other things, the expansion of health insurance for poor households and the development of a digitally supported system for improved coordination of social security services at provincial level, and supports cities and municipalities in offering social services that are closer to the citizen.
German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck has also shared some click of the meetings and activities of the German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development Flasbarth in Pakistan
🇩🇪 delegation led by @JochenFlasbarth visited @Plant4Pak afforestation site at Garhi Chandan #Peshawar.
Amazing how 🌲🌳 can transform communities. @BMZ_bund committed €36m supporting @ClimateChangePK & @FEWDKPGovt to ensure sustainability of the remarkable #BillionTree program! pic.twitter.com/ic5DucS5yt— Bernhard Schlagheck (@GermanyinPAK) February 19, 2022
Resident Representative of Hanns Seidel Foundation Pakistan (HSF) Dr. Steffen Kudella in an exclusive talk with Senior Journalist Shabbir Hussain regarding German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development and his maiden visit to Pakistan, said that it is a great moment and indeed has been pleasure welcoming the German State Secretary to Islamabad, spending the evening with him, and enjoying a delicious Pakistani BBQ dinner with him.
He said that this visit would further boost the relations of two courtiers, added, the HSF understands the important role Pakistan plays in the region and the great relevance of Climate Change as a long-term non-traditional security challenge for the country and all of South Asia.
That’s why we are working in these fields, he added.
.@HSSde #Pakistan Resident Representative Dr. @Steffen_Kudella and colleagues welcoming @BMZ_Bund State Secretary @JochenFlasbarth and @giz_gmbh Director Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel to Islamabad – thank you @AntoniaFePe, @GERinPAK4youth and @GermanyinPAK for organising this dinner! pic.twitter.com/dZWb3v6XwV
— HSF Pakistan (@HSF_Pakistan) February 18, 2022