By H.E. Dr Mohammad Faisal
Heartfelt Felicitations to the People of the Federal Republic of Germany on the Occasion of German National Unity Day
It gives me immense pleasure to extend my heartfelt felicitations to the people of the Federal Republic of Germany on the occasion of German Unity Day, the day that marks the end of the decades long dreadful division 31 years ago, and the emergence of Germany, once again, as a unified nation. Germany’s current prominent position among the international community as a developed economy, and a liberal democracy is truly a reflection of the strength of German culture and the resilience of its people.
Pakistan attaches great significance to its cordial relations with Germany; and is keen to sustain and strengthen a broad-based and mutually beneficial relationship. It is in this spirit of convergence of interest and interdependence that both Pakistan and Germany accord heightened significance to the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, this year, adding to the celebration of the Unification Day. A flurry of activities has been planned to commemorate this special year. These formally kick-started with the visit of the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to Berlin from 11-13 April 2021 and was reciprocated soon after by the German Foreign Minister Mr. Heiko Maas on 28-29 April 2021, and then again on 30-31 August 2021.
The successful exchange of visits at the Foreign Minister level paved the way for the visit of the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, on the invitation of his German counterpart, providing a valuable opportunity to exchange views on global and regional developments.
“Recent high-level visits and exchanges would lead to the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Germany.”
Germany has emerged as an attractive destination for students from Pakistan, especially those interested in higher studies. Currently, more than 5,000 Pakistani students are studying in various educational institutions throughout Germany. Since 2004, the cooperation between Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has translated into more than 300 young Pakistani academics gaining doctorates at German universities in university life in Germany.
In sync with its constructive engagement on regional and international issues, deepening economic collaboration through increased trade and investment is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Recent engagements have this objective at its core. Germany is Pakistan’s fourth largest trading partner globally, there is however a need to diversify this cooperation for the benefit of both Germany and Pakistan. Cooperation in the fields of energy & power, vaccines, transfer of technology, agriculture, technical training exchanges, legal migration etc. are some of the areas that would provide opportunities for substantive engagement on both sides. It is hoped that recent high-level visits and exchanges in near future would set in motion a series of substantive activities leading to the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Germany.
There is an Allama Iqbal Fellowship at South Asia Institute of Heidelberg University, which is considered extremely significant, and the Institute has time and again expressed its appreciation regarding the deputation of Pakistani scholars. Being alma mater of our national poet, the Iqbal Chair at Heidelberg University carries immense significance for Pakistan. Our Mission is working to strengthen this historic bond further and efforts are already underway for an Iqbal Center to commemorate this longstanding literary and historical link with Germany and its people.
We have ‘Turned a New Page’ with our engagements during this important year, despite Covid inconveniences. I look forward to working with Germany to further strengthen bilateral relations and to promote increased people-to-people contact for the mutual benefit of both countries.
The writer is a
ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Germany
(on the occasion of German Unity Day – 2021)
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