President Musharraf arrives in Sweden
Pakistan Times Special Report

STOCKHOLM (Sweden): President General Pervez Musharraf arrived here Sunday evening at the start of a three-day official visit to Sweden.

The President, accompanied by Begum Sehba Musharraf, was received at the Arlanda Airport by Foreign Minster of the Scandinavian country Ms Liala Frivadf, Ambassador Shahid Kamal and senior members of the Pakistani mission.

Arriving after six and a half hours flight from Islamabad, the President told newsmen in a brief talk that his meetings with the Swedish leaders will concentrate on augmenting trade and commercial ties between the two countries.

Agenda of Talks

His talks over two days will cover a range of bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest to both countries.

President Musharraf is the first head of state from Pakistan to visit Sweden.

The President is accompanied by Minister for Industries Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Senator Wasim Shahzad, MNAs Malik Amin Aslam and Hina Rabbani Khar, foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and information Secretary Syed Anwar Mehmood.

During the visit, President General Pervez Musharraf and the Prime Minister of Sweden Mr Goran Perron will exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The president will address a gathering of Swedish leaders, parliamentarians, intellectuals, scholars and opinion makers. He would also hold separate meetings with Swedish business community and the Swedish Trade Council.

A meeting of the President with the Pakistani community in Sweden has also been arranged.

Voyage To Finland

During his visit to Finland, President will have official talks with President of Finland Ms Tarja Halonen. He would also meet Finland Prime Minister Mr Mattie Vanhanen.

During his stay in Finland, President will also address a roundtable meeting chaired by a former Finland President Mr Mattie Athisaari on “Pakistan’s Challenges Security and Development”.

The President’s engagements include meeting with Finish business leaders, the Confederation of Industry and Employers and the Pakistani community.

'Pakistan Times' understands that the visit of the President to Sweden and Finland would give the impetus needed to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

It would also help in increasing the scope of economic cooperation and in building a vibrant business partnership of Pakistan with Sweden and Finland.

Two-Way Trade

Pakistan's two-way trade with Sweden in 2002-03 totalled US $ 98 million. Analysts say that the current visit of the President of Pakistan to both Sweden and Finland shall give more impetus to enhance bilateral ties with focus on trade.

The visit shall also bring these significant realms still more close togather for the mutual benefit of each-other.●