Updated on
Summary
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store on Wednesday met Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office in Islamabad and discussed in detail a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and Ambassador of Norway in Pakistan Robert Kvile also attended the meeting. On bilateral relations, the two Foreign Ministers complimented the contributions being made by the Pakistani diaspora in Norway in the countrys development and promoting inter-cultural harmony. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan and Norway had abundant opportunities to strengthen relations in all areas of life. Appreciating Norways development assistance to Pakistan, the Foreign Minister said the current level of bilateral trade (close to 120 million) did not represent the vast potential that existed between the two countries. Regarding terrorism, Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined the need for speeding up the process of reconstruction and development in the Malakand region and FATA in order to achieve a decisive victory against militants and violent extremists. He said Pakistans strategy of clearing, holding and building the violence-affected areas was being pursued most vigorously. There was nonetheless the need for international assistance and support to build these areas as time was of the essence. Pakistan could not afford the efforts aimed at winning hearts and mind to unravel at this critical stage. The Foreign Minister also conveyed to his Norwegian counterpart the sentiments of the people of Pakistan and the Muslim world at large about the reproduction of blasphemous cartoons in Norway, underlining that the freedom of expression was not absolute and had to be based on respect for each others religious feelings and sensitivities.
