Associated Press of Pakistan

Pakistan, Switzerland agree to start negotiations on FTA

Sunday, 28 January 2007

DAVOS, Jan. 28 (APP): Pakistan and Switzerland Sunday decided to initiate the negotiations for Free Trade Agreement in order to promote trade and economic relations and further strengthen bilateral relations.

The decision was taken during the meeting between Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Ms. Micheline Calmy-Rey, President of the Swiss Confederation, who called on him here on the sidelines of annual meeting of World Economic Forum. Both the leaders discussed bilateral relations, regional and international situation with reference to further enhancing the cooperation for world peace, progress and prosperity.

They also agreed to further strengthen the trade and economic relations between the two countries.

The regional issues including Afghanistan, Iran and Middle East were also discussed during the meeting.

Shaukat Aziz also briefed the Swiss leader about the progress on Pakistan-India relations to resolve the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir and promote trade and economic relations to ensure peace and stability in the region.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Pakistan’s position on the nuclear issue of Iran and said it should be resolved peacefully through negotiations, as use of force could be counter-productive.

On the Middle East situation, both the leaders agreed that the Palestine issue should be resolved through dialogue process in order to ensure peace, stability and progress in the region.