LAHORE (PR) - Honorary Consul of Germany Anees Rehman hosted a lunch in honour of the outgoing Ambassador of Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Michael Koch on Thursday.
In his speech, Mr Rehman said that Ambassador Dr Koch had made significant contribution in further strengthening the long-standing ties between Germany and Pakistan. According to Rehman, the foundation stone for the cooperation between the two countries was laid down with the signing of the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Germany and Pakistan in 1959 which was the first-ever international treaty of its kind . During the last 50 years, he said, Germany had provided a total of 2.3 billion Euros for development cooperation for energy, education, health, disaster relief and reconstruction and rural development and other sectors. 
Dr Michael Koch in his speech expressed his gratitude to Rehman for his support and kept Germany’s presence in Lahore.
He expressed his gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for the fantastic and legendary hospitality and support extended to him.
Dr Koch said that it was a great honour and pleasure to represent Germany in Pakistan as ambassador.
He  said that coming to Lahore was always a matter of great pleasure for him because of the warm welcome he always received from the friends in Lahore.
 It was a pity that he could not spend more time in Lahore because he had to strike a balance between travelling and performing duties in the office. He said saying goodbye is a bitter-sweet moment but for him it was not a goodbye to Pakistan because he would take over the charge of Afghanistan-Pakistan Policy Coordinator and in this new position he would continue to come to Pakistan and to Lahore.
 Ambassador Koch said that he was determined to continue to support Pakistan in any way he can and likewise he is expecting to continue to receive support from his friends in Pakistan.