ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to relations with the Netherlands, which is not only one of our important trade partners but also the 7th largest foreign investor in Pakistan, and a major partner in the area of development cooperation.
Talking to Mr. Bernard Bot, Foreign Minister of Netherlands, at the Prime Minister’s House Tuesday, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has a strong interest in further strengthening relations with Netherlands.
Matters relating to bilateral cooperation, national and international issues, Pakistan’s role for peace in the region, defence and security matters and investment friendly climate in Pakistan came under discussion.
On Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan wants to see peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. A strong, peaceful, stable and vibrant Afghanistan is in favour of its people and important for Pakistan, the region and the world.
On the Iranian nuclear issue, the Prime Minister said Pakistan is opposed to nuclear proliferation. However, Iran has a right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under the IAEA safeguards. He said Pakistan is in favor of a peaceful resolution of the issue through dialogue and is opposed to any coercive measures against Iran. The use of force against Iran will be catastrophic, the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace process with India through a process of composite dialogue. He said Pakistan’s suggestions of demilitarization and self governance in Kashmir can form the basis of meaningful dialogue and concrete progress on the Kashmir issue.
Talking of the defense and security issues, the Prime Minister said Pakistan wants to have minimum credible deterrence to maintain balance of power in the region.
"Pakistan does not have aggressive designs against any country and our defence policy is designed to maintain our sovereignty and integrity," the Prime Minister added.
Observing that gaps between various faiths is widening, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to work harder for promoting interfaith harmony to "ensure a better future for the coming generations."
"All of us need to open our minds, think more rationally and create tolerance to avoid potentially conflict situations which can destroy peace and hamper prosperity," the Prime Minister said.
Commenting on the internal political situation, the Prime Minister said that the country today has a functioning democracy, active parliament and free press. All parliamentary institutions and systems are gaining maturity and strength, he added.
Talking about the economic recovery achieved by Pakistani Prime Minister said that the reforms agenda undertaken by the government was one of the most broad based, comprehensive reforms process ever undertaken by any country.
He said Pakistan has been consistently achieving high growth rates since the last few years. Last year its GDP growth was the second highest in Asia. All sectors of economy are showing an upward trend. Pakistan has over 150 million consumers with growing incomes, a growing middle class and Per capita income is expected to rise to $800 this year.
Talking of investment opportunities available in Pakistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has the most liberal investment policy in South Asia. Government’s policies of liberalization deregulation, privatization coupled with consistency, continuity and transparency of policies have made Pakistan an ideal destination for foreign investments.
The Foreign Minister of Netherlands, Mr. Bernard Bot agreed with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on the need to work harder for promoting interfaith harmony and apprised the Prime Minister of the steps taken by Netherlands to promote interfaith dialogue.
Mr. Bernard Bot emphasized the need to enhance trade and commercial ties between Pakistan and Netherlands particularly in the fields of food processing, agriculture and horticulture.
He said Netherlands wants to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields of education and has approved a grant of 30 million Euros for educational purposes.
He said the world wants to see stability and peace in Afghanistan and Netherlands will be sending more troops to Afghanistan. He emphasized the need for better coordination and intelligence sharing between all parties involved in maintaining peace in Afghanistan.
Mr. Bernard Bot said Netherlands favors a peaceful resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic efforts and is opposed to the use of force against Iran.
The meeting was attended among others by Secretary Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of Netherlands in Pakistan and senior officials. | 
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