ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Sweden held the 15th round of Bilateral Political Consultations in Stockholm on Thursday and reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, said a press release issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad on Friday.
The Additional Secretary (Europe) Ambassador Zaheer A. Janjua led the Pakistani delegation in the talks while Deputy Director General and Head of Department for Asia and Oceania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Cecilia Ruthstrom-Ruin led the Swedish side.
The Foreign Office said that Pakistan-Sweden Bilateral Political Consultations were held in a friendly and frank atmosphere.
The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and identified opportunities and possibilities for further strengthening cooperation, especially in the spheres of trade and economy, investment, culture, education, IT and telecommunications, science and technology, and parliamentary exchanges.
The two sides deliberated upon the evolving peace and security environments in their respective regions.
The Pakistani side briefed the Swedish delegation on Pakistan’s policy of peaceful neighborhood and its peace overtures towards India. Indian atrocities and human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir were also highlighted.
The ambassador Ruthstrom-Ruin briefed on the current security situation around Sweden and in Europe.
The two sides discussed also international issues of mutual interest.
The additional secretary (Europe) briefed the Swedish side on Pakistan’s credentials for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) while emphasizing the need for a criteria-based, non-discriminatory approach towards new non-NPT member states.
The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral fora.
Pakistan and Sweden enjoy cordial relations. Pakistan considers Sweden an important country in the Nordic region and the European Union.
The consultations provided a useful opportunity to take stock of the overall relations and discuss ways and means to further enhance cooperation in diverse spheres. It was decided that these consultations would be held on a regular basis with the next round scheduled in Islamabad in 2018.
