Pakistan’s sacrifices in war on terror should be acknowledged: Romanian envoy

Islamabad:: The Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, Mr Nicolae Goia, said that Pakistan has offered great sacrifices in the war on terror and these should be acknowledged by the world.

Mr Goia was speaking at the dinner reception hosted by the English Speaking Union (ESU) Islamabad Chapter at the residence of its President, Mr Khalid Malik Wednesday evening. Answering a question the Romanian envoy said: “We really appreciate the role played by Pakistan in the war on terror. Pakistan has made great efforts in fighting different groups of terrorists for such a long period and they are still fighting in which thousands of people have died already.”

“We are sad for the high number of casualties in the war on terror being fought by Pakistan including. We respect and acknowledge these sacrifices offered by the Pakistan Army, including officers and the civilians in the fight against terrorists. This is a tremendous sacrifice Pakistani Military and civilians have offered which should be acknowledged by the world,” Mr Nicolae Goia said

To a question regarding the Pakistan-US relations the Romanian envoy said that he would not comment on that because it is a Pak-US bilateral matter. “I can only speak for Romania and we have very good relations with the US like we have with other countries of the world,” Mr Goia said.

Regarding the bilateral relations between Romania and Pakistan, Mr Goia said that the two countries enjoy excellent political relations. “However, there is a lot of scope to improve, particularly in the field of trade and commerce. I am already having meetings with the Pakistani ministers and the business community and I hope the two countries can improve upon the existing ties,” the Romanian envoy said.

Earlier, after the meeting was called in order by the Secretary-General of the ESU Islamabad Chapter, Sqdn. Ldr Abid Ali, the President, Khalid Malik welcomed the Romanian ambassador. “We have an outstanding diplomat here with us tonight and over a short span of time the ambassador has become very popular amongst Pakistan,” Khalid Malik said.

Being the President of the ESU Islamabad Chapter Khalid Malik apprised the members that ‘Centenary World Members Conference’ of the ESU will be held in London from May 14 to 18, 2018 as the ESU completes 100 years of its existence.

He also called for observing ‘one minute silence’ in memory of the past President of the ESU Islamabad Chapter, Major General (r) Ali Masood Akram, who also had served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Morocco, who passed away exactly the day a year ago.

Distinguished among those present on the occasion were the wife of Romanian Ambassador, senior officials from Foreign Office including Mr. Shah M. Jamal, Special Secretary Zaheer Aslam Janjua, Adl. Secretary Europe, the High Commissioner of Nigeria, the Ambassador of Greece, the former Prime Minister of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) Barrister Sultan Mehmood, former Deputy Chairman of Senate Wazir Khan Jogezai, Ambassador of Greece, High Commissioner of Nigeria, members of the diplomatic corps and Members of ESU.

Zia Ur Rehman Zabeeh, who was the host of the evening, in his ‘vote of thanks’ appreciated the efforts of the members of ESU and the President Khalid Malik and members of the executive committee for arranging the function. He also thanked the Ambassador of Romania and his wife for being with the members of ESU.

In the end ESU President presented a shield with insignia of ESU to Nicolae Goia Ambassador of Romania while Tehmina Poonam Ayub presented a bouquet to the wife of the Romanian ambassador on behalf of the ESU members. The dinner was a sumptuous affair, widely appreciated by the guests.