Germany Standing by Pakistan

Germany is standing by its commitment to Pakistan in its security and economic woes to help promote peace, according to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. He was joined with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi. Qureshi said Pakistan was looking for strengthened trade ties with Germany and its help in accessing European markets for exports, particularly in textiles, stressing that it wanted to be self-sufficient. Pakistan is facing a worsening security situation and needs up to 4.5 billion dollars (3.5 billion euros) to deal with a balance of payments crisis.

Some 3,500 German troops are serving as part of the UN-sanctioned, NATO-led international force in Afghanistan and Berlin is planning to send 1,000 more.