Tazeen Akhtar
Ambassador of Poland , H.E Maciej Pisarski has shared with diplomatic beat reporters of Islamabad that bilateral trade has reached up to first milestone of $ 1 Billion and still there are more avenues to enhance this volume if both countries tap them.
He said this in his short address at Eid Milan with the journalists working on Pakistan Poland Relations. Ambassador hosted the journalists for casual talk on dinner at the Poland Residence on 04 July 2024. Matters of bilateral interest , cooperation and regional issues.
Poland is the only country in Europe whose trade with Pakistan is in favor of Pakistan. It speaks a lot that Poland is great friend of Pakistan in European Union. And when we touch EU Pakistan, the first spark in our minds is GSP status.
Pakistan is feeling easy but matter of fact is that , the GSP status is not permanent. It can be reviewed and revoked anytime because Pakistan has not fulfilled all conditions so far including Death Penalty. Pakistan can work with Poland in this regard.
In his address, Ambassador shared the information about the visit of high level economic mission under the GreenEvo initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Poland.
The ministry selected Poland Embassy Islamabad to host and connect the delegation with Pakistani officials and concerned stake holders in the industry and business community of Pakistan.
Representatives from nine Polish businesses providing new green technology solutions attended the mission: Agata, AQT Water, Biocontrol, Ekoinwentyka, Ekotop, Far Data, the Institute of New Environmental Engineering Technologies, Petroster-Serwis, and Symbiona. The mission program featured business events in Pakistan’s two largest cities, Karachi and Lahore.
Ambassador had earlier in an interview with this scribe said that he is satisfied with the outcome of meetings of GreenEvo mission. At the Eid Milan, he shared that both sides are moving forward on what was agreed in meetings last month.
Energy is the basic necessity of Pakistan as the prices of petroleum and electricity specially have disturbed the budget of almost every poor, middle and upper middle class house hold in the whole country. Polish oil and gas company of PGNiG group is already working in this sector with its $ 400 Million investment. This company is fulfilling 20% requirements of fuel in Pakistan.
Pakistan and Poland can intensify their cooperation in energy sector with both conventional as well as green energy joint ventures. Poland has vast experience in both types of energy production.
UKRAINE
H.E Maciej Pisarski touched Ukraine issue as well and said , Poland is facing war on her borders. Europe is united against Russian aggression. He was optimistic about the results of Global Peace Conference held in Switzerland last month. He said the event would go a long way in restoring peace in the region.
BELARUS
Ambassador was concerned on the human trafficking of citizens of some Arab countries to Europe through Poland’s neighboring country Belarus. Here it is also worth mentioning that Belarus is close ally of Russia in war on Ukraine.
H.E Maciej Pisarski said, we have information that Belarus land is being used by illegal immigrants to enter into Europe. He said, agents in Belarus are trading visas with the intending emigrants to Europe. Belarus visa is very easy to get and the immigrants are facilitated by Belarus mafia to enter them into Poland to cross into Europe.
Ambassador said, Poland has more than 300 Kilometers of border with Belarus. He said our country has taken required measures to stop this illegal trafficking.
(Note: If anyone from Belarus side wants and can share their side of version, we welcome and we will publish that as well : Editor )
