ISLAMABAD: Germany and Pakistan have agreed on bilateral cooperation in the fields of film, culture, and art.
As per a press release, the agreement was reached in a meeting of German Ambassador to Pakistan Alfred Grannas with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb. During the meeting, a discussion was also held on a proposal for cooperation with the University of Television and Film Munich and the University of Babelsberg. Marriyum Aurangzeb apprised German Ambassador about the Culture and Film Policy of the government of Pakistan and the incentives given under the policy.
She said that the government was eager to showcase the beauty, civilization, and culture of Pakistan to the whole world through screen tourism. She said that foreign filmmakers should benefit in Pakistan from special concessions given for filmmaking. The minister sought support from German institutions for technical training in art, film, and culture for students of Pakistan. She said that art, culture, and film can be promoted by cooperation between Pakistani and German private educational institutions.
The minister appreciated the services of NGOs; GIZ of Germany and the Hans Seidel Foundation in Pakistan. She also showed her gratitude for the assistance of 18.4 million Euros given by Germany to the flood victims in Pakistan. The minister maintained that their promise of Germany to provide 84 million euros in aid to the International Conference on Climate Change was another proof of its friendship of Germany with Pakistan.
The minister further said that the volume of the bilateral trade is 4 billion dollars. She said that it needs to be increased. She opined that Goethe and Allama Iqbal were common assets between the two countries. She said that with the establishment of the Iqbal-Goethe culture and art center in Berlin, the people of Germany and Pakistan will come closer to each other.
She also appreciated the media in Germany for reporting the situation in Pakistan in an impartial and objective manner which was commendable. The minister told the Ambassador that a delegation of the Journalists Association of Germany was expected to visit Pakistan next month.
In the meeting, bilateral cooperation and matters of mutual interest were discussed. The Ambassador of Germany appreciated the efforts of the Information Minister for the promotion of film and culture.
