Islamabad: Speakers were in consensus that Pakistan and Germany have enjoyed seven decades of close and diverse relations based on mutual respect and cooperation.

They were speaking a Public Talk titled, “Celebrating 70 Years of Pakistan-Germany Relations,” organised by the Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on Thursday.

Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan Bernhard Schlagheck was the Guest Speaker for the event.

In her introductory remarks Dr Neelum Nigar, Director, CSP, said that Pakistan and Germany have enjoyed seven decades of close and diverse relations based on mutual respect and cooperation.

Germany has also provides development support to Pakistan mainly centered on renewable, climate protection, business, and health care.

While in his welcome Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General, ISSI said that Germany is an extremely important country and its Pakistan’s biggest trading partner in Europe. There has been a recent boost in the people-to-people contact between Pakistan and Germany which has helped relations to enhance further.

Ambassador Chaudhry called Europe a resilient continent and said people would like to know where it stands with regards to changing geopolitical situation in the Indo-Pacific.

Guest Speaker Ambassador Schlagheck in his talk said that Germany and Pakistan are engaged in high level bilateral visits which show the level of trust between the two countries. Both countries are relatively young as both gained independence within two years of each other.

On the recent development in Afghanistan, Ambassador Schlagheck said that Germany is appreciative of Pakistan’s assistance in the Doha Process and in securing safe passage for its nationals from Afghanistan.

He further said that there are several areas in the political sphere where the two sides can work closely; Afghanistan being one of them.

On Pakistan’s GSP+ status, Ambassador Schlagheck stated that after 2023 Pakistan’s status will be revaluated according to the new conventions and emphasised that Pakistan needs to make efforts to address certain challenges in this regard.