Karachi: German Ambassador Alfred Granas addressing participants of Karachi Council of Foreign Relations (KCFR) said that Germany has been maintaining diplomatic and investment relations with Pakistan for last 70 years. Germany considers this region very important. Germany has given 150 million dollars in aid to Pakistan and Germany's balance of trade with Pakistan is favourable to both countries. Germany has been collaborating in electronics, medical and environmental fields. There is no official position of German government on CPEC but it is good economic project for Pakistan. Germany is now closing down nuclear and shifting to renewable energy. Replying to question he said supplying weapons to Ukraine is not against German Constitution. Germany is in NATO and that's its stance on Israel coincides NATO's stance. He said that there is no consensus on European Defense as proposed by French President because Germany will have to forego its welfare support programme and spend more money on defense expenditure.

Ambassador warded off question that European leaders don't think for themselves and do what America tells them to do. Ambassador said that due to political uncertainty and unfavourable business environments, Siemens and Deutsche Bank have left Pakistan. However, Pakistan has lot of potential for future growth.

Germany's point of view on Israel's statement that United Nations is ending, he replied, "End of United Nations can only be occurred when all of its members decide to leave it."

On CPEC project, ambassador said that nobody could blame Pakistan for accepting investment; however, benefits and costs of strings attached to it are for Pakistan to decide. In replying to another question as to how did manage energy crisis when gas was cut off from Russia Nord 1 pipeline was blown up or dammed, he replied lot of efforts from their Ministry of Energy had been made by arranging LNG and alternate energy from neighbouring countries.

Energy sourcing became more expensive than Russian gas and therefore it had affected their exports too. Two important German Organisations that were assisting Pakistan in development projects both in social sector and also in infrastructure development. Ambassador responded that both GIZ and KFW were still active and very much had their presence in Pakistan.

Chairperson of KCFR Nadira Panjwani underscoring robust collaboration between Germany and Pakistan welcomed Ambassador. She paid warm tributes to iconic German personalities like Dr Annemarie Schimmel and Dr Ruth Pfau who have rendered valuable services to Pakistan.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 31 2023

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