PM arrives in Bosnian capital on three-day official visit

SARAJEVO, Bosnia, Dec 20 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday arrived in the Bosnian capital on a three-day official visit.
The prime minister was received by Bosnian Minister for Transport and Communication Ismir Jusko at the Sarajevo International Airport.
Begum Kalsoom Nawaz and PM’s Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi accompanied the prime minister.
High-ranking officials of the Bosnian government, Pakistan’s ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina Lt Gen (retd) Salim Nawaz and Bosnian ambassador to Pakistan Nedim Makarevic were also present.
A contingent of static guard of Bosnian forces presented salute to the prime minister as he alighted from his plane.
Children attired in traditional dresses presented bouquets to the prime minister.
“The prime minister’s visit is significant in strengthening ties with Bosnia, particularly in the fields of trade, defence and culture,” Ambassador Lt Gen (retd) Salim Nawaz told APP.
He said the prime minister during the visit would hold meetings with Bosnian President Bakir Izetbegovich and Prime Minister Denis Zvizdic.
He will also interact with members of the Bosnian parliament and will be briefed at the Bosnian Business Forum.
The ambassador said Pakistan regarded Bosnia an important Muslim country among the Balkan states and had a long history of friendly relations, which were further strengthened after the independence of Bosnia in 1994.
He said Pakistan and Bosnia had always supported each other at the United Nations level and other international fora.