Islamabad, December 02, 2019 (PPI-OT): On the sidelines of the Seminar in Mexico, the Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem had a meeting with Ms. Lourdes Cruz Trinidad, Vice Minister for Agriculture and Dr. Javier Trujillo, Director General, National Service of Health, Safety and Agri-food Quality (SENASICA) at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The two sides agreed that Pakistan and Mexico could benefit from their respective expertise in agriculture. They discussed the possible avenues of collaboration in agriculture such as avocado cultivation in Pakistan.
Deputy Chairman Senate, also took up the matter of lifting of the ban on the export of rice from Pakistan by Mexican authorities. After detailed discussion the Mexican side conveyed its general agreement for lifting of ban after completion of some procedural formalities. It is hoped that the import of rice from Pak will resume in near future. The Deputy Chairman also proposed the signing of an MoU on Agricultural Cooperation which was welcomed by the Mexican side.
Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Deputy Chairman Senate is leading a Parliamentary delegation to Mexico to attend the Executive Education Parliamentary Leadership Programme organized under the auspices of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Besides attending the seminar, the Deputy Chairman had an extensive programme to strengthen Parliamentary Cooperation between Pakistan and Mexico. Ms. Monica Fernandez Balboa, President of the Senate of Mexico received the Deputy Chairman and members of delegation in the Senate of Mexico.
Referring to the long history of cordial relations between Pakistan and Mexico, the Deputy Chairman stressed upon the need of further strengthening of these ties through parliamentary diplomacy. He urged upon setting up of a Pakistan-Mexico Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Senate of Mexico. He also extended invitation to the President of Senate to visit Pakistan to deepen parliamentary cooperation.
Ms. Munoz warmly welcomed the delegation and agreed with the Deputy Chairman to strengthen parliament cooperation. She identified a number of areas such as climate change, education, gender and women rights in which the two Senates could collaborate. Accepting Deputy Chairman’s invitation she expressed the desire to lead a parliamentary delegation to Pakistan.
Earlier, the Deputy Chairman had called on Mr. Gustavo Madero, President of the Senate Committee on Economy during which the two sides reiterated their commitment to enhance the bilateral trade which at present is far below potential. Both welcomed the idea of the exchange of trade delegations to explore opportunities to realize the unseized potential that exists between the two countries. The Deputy Chairman expressed his desire to enhance cooperation with Mexico particularly in the areas of oil and gas, and agriculture. The Deputy Chairman also invited the Mexican businessmen to take advantage of Pakistan’s strategic location and the CPEC.
In the evening, the Deputy Chairman had a meeting with Mr. Julian Ventura Valero, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. He states that excellent political relations between Pakistan and Mexico have not translated into strong economic and commercial relations. He impressed upon the need of early opening of Mexican Embassy in Islamabad.
He also presented a letter addressed to the President of Mexico by the President of Pakistan, inviting him for an early visit to Pakistan. He stated that the high level visits from Mexico to Pakistan, which had been long due, will go a long way in strengthening the friendly ties between the two counties. Mr. Ventura thanked the Deputy Chairman for his visit and indicated that he intends to visit Pakistan during first half of 2020. Both sides agreed to work on a tangible agenda in order to maximize benefit from his forthcoming visit.
The Deputy Chairman also had significant meeting with Ms. Luz Maria de la Mora, Vice Minister for Economy and Foreign Trade to discuss strengthening of trade and economic cooperation. He informed the Vice Minister about Pakistan’s decision to open commercial section in the Embassy of Pakistan. This would help in enhanced interaction between business communities of Pakistan and Mexico. The Deputy Chairman stressed that early completion of the pending agreements between Pakistan and Mexico was imperative for sustained interaction within in an institutional framework and propel the bilateral relations further.
The Deputy Chairman Senate was also accompanied by the representative of Department of Plant Protection (DPP) as well as Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (REAP). Later, Deputy Chairman was received by Mr. Jose Narro Cespedes, President of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Rural Development. Deputy Chairman welcomed the Mexican Government to explore diverse avenues of collaboration offered by the agricultural sector of Pakistan. He particularly expressed interest in the import of cotton from Mexico. He recalled the long standing collaboration between Pakistan and CIMMYT since early 1960s.
The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation between agricultural committees in the respective Senates. Mr. Cespedes expressed strong desire to visit Pakistan. Deputy Chairman Senate affirmed that an invitation has been be extended to the President of the Senate of Mexico. and he would be delighted to welcome the visit. The Deputy Chairman informed the President about his earlier meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture regarding lifting of ban on rice.
During the day, the Deputy Chairman also met Senator Ernesto Perez Astorga, Secretary of the Commission on Foreign Relations Asia-Pacific-Africa. The two sides agreed to fortify bilateral ties through parliamentary exchanges. Deputy Chairman also elaborated upon the Kashmir issue, particularly the gross human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir by the Indian forces. He urged that the international community should play its role for the resolution of conflict in light of the UN Security Council Resolutions. The visit of Mr. Saleem Mandviwalla, Deputy Chairman has been instrumental in rejuvenating the parliamentary interaction and bilateral ties between Pakistan and Mexico.
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H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2,
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