Gilani for more contacts with Norway

       
LAHORE, Nov. 14 (APP)- Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan attaches special importance to its relations with Norway.He was talking to a two-member parliamentary delegation from Norway comprising MPA of Oslo, Amir Javed Sheikh and his wife Afshan Rafique, Deputy Member of Norwegian parliament, who called on him at his residence here Sunday.Gilani said, “Besides having enhanced trade ties with Norway, we should have more people-to-people contacts and exchange of parliamentary delegations to augment our bilateral relations at grassroots level.”
The Prime Minister also urged the Norwegian government to join hands with Pakistan’s national strategy for reconstruction of flood-hit areas and rehabilitation of 20 million affected people.
The Prime Minister said he would formally invite the king and queen of Norway to visit Pakistan.
On the occasion, the Pakistan-origin Norwegian parliamentarians hailed the government for relief and rehabilitation of calamity-hit people. Reposing full confidence in the present government and the leadership, they said, “We want democracy to strengthen in Pakistan.”
They also invited the Prime Minister to visit Norway, so that they could confer on him ‘Bridge Maker Award-2011’ in recognition of his efforts for improving Pakistan’s relations with western countries.
They told the Prime Minister the Norway Chamber of Commerce president would visit Pakistan from February 9 to 16, 2011. During her visit, she would explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, they added.
Afshan Rafique was the first Muslim woman to become Member of Norwegian Parliament from 2001 to 2005.