EU lobbying firm offers services for FTA
Business Recorder | 16 July 2009
EU lobbying firm offers services for FTA
MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN
ISLAMABAD (July 16 2009): Alber and Geiger, a European Union (EU) lobbying firm, comprising of former high ranking officials, has offered its services to facilitate Pakistan for a free trade agreement (FTA), sources in Commerce Ministry told Business Recorder. A summit on June 17, 2009 between the EU and Pakistan discussed strengthening of EU-Pakistan partnership, regional political situation, global issues and the world economy.
Pakistan was represented by President Asif Ali Zardari at the summit. The EU granted Pakistan euro 120 million for the internally displaced persons. Furthermore, the EU declared that it would think about strengthening the trade ties with Pakistan, including easing Pakistan’s access to EU market.
"Our law firm is a specialised lobbying firm with representation in Brussels and Berlin, and we offer our services to you to help ensure that the EU should fulfil its promise," wrote, Martin Gerig, an associate of the firm, in a letter to Commerce Ministry.
Alber and Geiger claims it lobbies predominantly at EU institutions in Brussels and in all EU member states. The focus is not only on strictly legal expertise but due to the long experience of its partners and employees in public offices, also at a political level.
"Our team is composed of former high ranking EU officials who have contacts throughout Europe, and we still amplify this network through our various working areas. Through our contacts, we feel we could represent Pakistan in talks with the EU, put forward the issues that Pakistan feels should be discussed and ensure that the EU keeps their promise and implements the ideas," Gerig said.
During the Summit, the importance of a strong trading relationship between the EU and Pakistan and its links to economic prosperity and stability were recognised. The EU and Pakistan will jointly work towards further liberalisation of trade in goods and services, with the aim of mutual enhancement of market access and convergence on regulatory matters.
It was agreed to set up a dedicated dialogue alongside existing working level contacts in order to enhance bilateral trade relationship including a free trade agreement and the EU also promised to continue to assist Pakistan to meet the EU’s sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements for fishery and other products.
