NATHIAGALI (APP): On Saturday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's strong commitment to its relations with Switzerland, emphasizing the shared belief in fundamental principles of democracy and the rule of law.
The Prime Minister welcomed Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, who is currently on a bilateral visit to Pakistan from July 7 to 9. The visit, initiated by the Prime Minister's invitation, aims to strengthen the ties between the two nations, as stated by the PM Office Media Wing in a press release.
During the meeting, both sides expressed their determination to further enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas such as climate change, trade and investment, development cooperation, higher education, and vocational training.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Swiss government for their support following the devastating floods that occurred last year. He also commended Swiss businesses for their problem-solving approach and work ethic, inviting more Swiss companies to invest in Pakistan, particularly in the renewable energy and IT sectors.
The two sides agreed to collaborate in promoting tourism, including eco-tourism, and the development of relevant infrastructure through government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B) channels. They also agreed to convene a meeting soon to discuss further modes of cooperation.
Disaster management, early warning systems, and carbon market collaboration were other areas of agreement between the two nations.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on "Disaster Management" between Pakistan and Switzerland. This MoU aims to enhance bilateral cooperation in disaster risk management, including preparedness, response, and recovery, with the goal of minimizing adverse impacts on the people and the economy.
Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman provided a detailed presentation on Pakistan's climate vulnerability and the escalating climate crisis that has put the country in a recovery-resilience trap. She highlighted Pakistan's flagship programs, such as the Living Indus initiative and the Delta Blue Carbon project, which aim to restore 350,000 hectares of mangrove wetlands, reduce 147 million metric tonnes of carbon emissions, and generate revenues of USD 250 million.
The press release further emphasized that Pakistan and the Swiss Confederation share cordial relations, built upon cooperation in international forums with a common goal of contributing to global peace and prosperity.
This visit by Federal Councillor Cassis marks the first bilateral visit by a Swiss foreign minister to Pakistan in the past 17 years. The visit has successfully reinforced the existing friendly ties between the two countries.
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