ISLAMABAD, July 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Pakistan and Germany on Thursday reiterated their commitment to further enhance their existing friendly and close relations in all spheres, particularly in the fields of trade and economy.

    Addressing a joint news conference here with Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, visiting German Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher said he had very friendly and opentalks with Pakistani leaders on all bilateral, regional and international issues.

    Fisher, who arrived here Wednesday for a three-day official visit, said that Germany enjoys very friendly and long-term relations with Pakistan and intends to work for further deepening and improvement of these ties.

    Fisher noted that Germany appreciates the Pak-Indo dialogue process to restore peace and stability in the region and that the resolution of all disputes including Kashmir between India and Pakistan will pave way for lasting peace and stability not only inthe region but also in the world.

    He expressed the hope that the Pak-Indo dialogue would not onlycontinue in future but be further expedited and said that Germany fully supports this process.

    Talking about Pak-German trade ties, Fisher said Germany attaches special importance to its trade and economic relations with Pakistan and fully favors reduction of tariff barriers in theEuropean Union to increase trade with Pakistan.

    He disclosed that a delegation of German businessmen will shortly visit Pakistan to further increase the bilateral trade relations.

    On the same occasion, Kasuri said he had held fruitful talks with Fisher on terrorism, Afghanistan, trade relations and other important issues including the Pak-Indo dialogue in a very friendly atmosphere.

    Kasuri expressed the confidence that Fisher's visit will give new impetus to Pak-German relations in all fields particularly in trade and economy and that the Pak-German relations will continue to further grow with the passage of time.

    Referring to Afghanistan, Kasuri said Pakistan has vital interests in Afghanistan and hopes for a stable government there which can make the country prosperous and progressive.

    He stressed that Pakistan is playing an important role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and has provided one billion US dollars in this regard. Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with Afghanistan and is making sincere efforts at all levels to furtherimprove these ties, he said.

    Kasuri added that Pakistan fully supports the election process in Afghanistan and that it will be in the interest of both Pakistan and Afghanistan that maximum people could participate in the coming general elections scheduled in October.

    Pakistan has assisted the Afghan government financially in the registration of Afghan refugees in Pakistan in the elections and it is also prepared to facilitate international observers to inspect the Afghan election process in the refugee camps in Pakistan to ensure the process transparent and free, said Kasuri. Enditem