By NNN-APP
Islamabad : President Pervez Musharraf will embark on an eight day visit to Belgium, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom on Sunday to further enhance cooperation in commercial, economic, trade and defence areas with these countries.
The focus of President’s engagements during his visit abroad would be to boost bilateral relations and exchange views on the issue of terrorism Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said.
The highlight of President’s visit will be his participation in the annual World Economic Forum at Davos from Jan 23 to 25. The theme of this year’s meeting in Davos is “The Power of Collaborative Innovation”.
The President will also meet a number of political and corporate leaders in Davos on the sidelines of the WEF.
President Musharraf will kick off his visit by meeting European Union leaders in Brussels, at the EU headquarters including Javier Solana.
He will also address the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. The President’s talks with EU leaders would cover the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with emphasis on exploring ways and means to further enhance cooperation in various fields including commercial, economic, trade and defence.
EU is the largest trading partner with the overall annual volume of trade worth 9 billion dollars and also the largest foreign investor and development cooperation partner.
The President’s engagements in Brussels would also include talks with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Vehhofstadt aimed at promoting understanding and cooperation.
He will also address the Pakistani community, business leaders and a Brussels based think tanks.
President Musharraf will visit France on Monday and Tuesday next. His programme would include talks with President Sarkozy besides addressing French business leaders, the Pakistani community and representative of a think tank.
The President will attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum During his visit to the UK from Jan 26 to 28, the President will meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He will also address the Pakistan community and business leaders in UK.
The President will be accompanied by members of the caretaker cabinet and senior officials during this visit.