Japan, Germany assure support to Pak over fin crisis,terrorism

Beijing, Oct 25 (PTI) Japan and Germany Saturday assured Pakistan their full support in addressing the issue of terrorism and overcoming financial crisis it was facing in the wake of global economic recession.

During their separate meetings with Pakistani Premier
Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of second day of 7th
Asia-Europe Meeting (A.S.E.M.) summit here, Japanese Prime
Minister Aso Taro and German Chancellor Angela Markel said
their countries will actively participate in the - Friends of
Pakistan - group to help the country steer out of the
financial crisis.

"These were very productive and useful interactions.
They are friends of Pakistan and they really want to help us,"
Prime Minister Gilani was quoted as saying by the Pakistan's
official A.P.P. news agency. He was talking to newsmen after
holding meetings with Japanese and German leaders.
He said they discussed wide-ranging issues of common
interest. They appreciated Pakistan's position and consistent
efforts in dealing with menace of extremism and terrorism.

Gilani said, both the leaders assured that their
countries will stand by Pakistan at the present difficult
time, so that its people could live a peaceful and prosperous
life.

The Pakistani Prime Minister said that the global
community wants to see a strong and stable Pakistan and it is
in the interest of whole world to curb scourge of terrorism in
its all forms and manifestation.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday sought
pro-active support of the world community to fight terrorism,
terming it is a common enemy of all the peace-loving
countries.
Addressing the plenary session of the Asia-Europe
Meeting (A.S.E.M.) here, Gilani stated that the terrorism is a
serious problem that was affecting the very fabric of
Pakistan's society.
He briefed the 45-member world body on Pakistan's
position on terrorism and said his country was tackling it
most seriously by various means in order to ensure peace and
security at all levels.
It was for the first time that Pakistan after getting
formal admission addressed the Asia-Europe Meeting at the
level of the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan considers A.S.E.M. a
vital forum for dialogue and cooperation between the two
continents.
"Between themselves, A.S.E.M. countries represent
almost 58 percent of the world's population and 50 percent of
its GDP, nearly USD 32 trillion," Gilani noted.
While developed countries are mobilising hundreds of
billions of dollars to support their financial institutions,
developing countries are sinking deeper into the poverty trap.
Hunger has increased affecting close to 900 million
people worldwide, he said adding if the financial crisis was
not handled carefully, the situation can transform into a
global recession affecting countries like Pakistan whose 50
percent external trade is with the U.S. and E.U. PTI