France keen to strengthen ties with Pakistan: Anne Marie
Pakistan
France keen to strengthen ties with Pakistan: Anne Marie
France is keen to open a new chapter of relationship with Pakistan for strengthening democracy and its efforts to curb terrorism. This was stated by the French Minister for Foreign Trade, Anne Marie IDRAC, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad Thursday. She said that this was the first visit by any French Trade Minister during last 20 years which shows that they want to further strengthen the economic and defence ties with Pakistan. Anne Marie said that main objective of her visit was to finalize framework on different trade and economic subjects before the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Pakistan is facing many challenges including the menace of terrorism, she said and added France was aware of all these problems and would help Pakistan for strengthening democracy and economy. France would cooperate in transportation, energy, water treatment, food industry and agriculture developmental for the economical progress and prosperity, she added. She said French private companies would sign their agreements after the visit by President Sarkozy to enhance bilateral trade and defence relations between the two countries. She said some French companies were already doing their business in Pakistan in different sectors of the economy besides providing the jobs opportunities for 10,000 people. She said that her country had provided 2.3 million Euros for rehabilitation of internally displaced persons adding that additional 10 million Euros had been given for supplying food to them. Anne said that France would also provide 300 million Euros during next three years (2009 2011) for socio economic development which had announced in Friends of Democratic Pakistan Conference. The trade volume between both of the countries was increased by 6 per cent as compared to last year and it would further increase during time to come. The minister said that France would help Pakistan get market access to the European Union and also provide modern technology including Fennac Helicopter for curbing terrorism.