ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and China Tuesday discussed ways and means to further enhance their relationship.
These issues came under discussion during a meeting between a seven-member visiting Chinese diplomatic delegation with special assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi here at the Foreign Office.
Tariq Fatemi described Pakistan-China friendship as an exemplary in the inter-state relationship. He said the two countries enjoy across-the-board support of their people and government at all level.
Chinese delegation led by the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China Ms. Lu Xu of China is on a six-day visit to Pakistan.
The visit is part of a series of activities planned in the context of the ongoing "2015: Pakistan-China Year of Friendly Exchanges" to celebrate political, diplomatic, cultural, people-to-people and academic exchanges between the two countries.
Meanwhile Special Assistant to Prime received Benedetto Detta Vedova, Italian Deputy Foreign Minister on Tuesday, who is leading a business delegation to Pakistan. Talking to the Italian delegation Tariq Fatimi said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Italy and was desirous of strengthening bilateral cooperation in all fields.
Highlighting Pakistan's economic potential, he stated that Pakistan was an investor friendly country, which provided ample opportunities for foreign investors in diverse areas of economy.
He urged the visiting dignitary to encourage Italian medium and small scale entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan's diverse sectors including energy and infrastructure.
Tariq Fatemi expressed satisfaction at the political consultations held between the two sides a day earlier at the Ministry.
He briefed the visiting dignitary on the Prime Minister's vision of a "peaceful neighbourhood" and highlighted efforts of the Government of Pakistan to eradicate the menace of terrorism and extremism. Global and regional issues, including UNSC reforms and Afghanistan, were also discussed.
The Italian Deputy Minister Vedova stated that Italy valued its relations with Pakistan and regarded it as an important country. Italian businessmen were desirous of enhancing their ties with Pakistan and were interested in joint ventures.
Both sides agreed that there was tremendous potential between the two countries on enhancing bilateral trade which has crossed US$ one billion mark. It was also decided that frequency of high level contacts between the two countries would be increased.