by ANSAR M BHATTI

ISLAMABAD, OCT 12 (DNA) Ambassador of Spain Manuel Duran has said Spain and Pakistan are good friends adding bilateral relationship was on a positive trajectory.

He said Spain, Pakistan relations have witnessed marked improvement over the years adding Spain happens to be the 8^th largest trading partner of Pakistan.

Number of tourists both Spanish coming here and Pakistanis flying to Spain has increased manifold and the interest in everything between the two countries grows by the minute.

The Ambassador expressed these views while speaking on the occasion of National Day of Spain. Federal Minister of Defence Production Zubaida Jalal was the chief guest while Federal ministers Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Ali Zaidi, Ejaz Shah were also included among the distinguished guests.

He said in the embassy we are fully committed to further improve trade figures between the two countries. “I am pleased to announce that a famous Spanish company will open a big store in Lahore on October 30, which will not only improve bilateral relations but would also create a number of job opportunities”.

The Ambassador said there are about 88,000 Pakistanis living in Spain and contributing significantly to Spanish economy. Some of them have become Spanish citizens and all of them are hardworking citizens.

Spain he said has rich tourism experiences and therefore can help Pakistan in development of the tourism sector as this country is gifted with a lot of marvelous tourist attractions.

Ambassador Duran also thanked people of Pakistan for extending him all possible help ever since his arrival in Pakistan a year ago. “I have enjoyed every moment of my stay in Pakistan”, he added.

The Ambassador further said Pakistani people should learn Spanish language as Spanish literature is very rich and has a lot of knowledge to offer to readers. He added, NUML is contributing greatly towards promotion of Spanish language in Pakistan.

Ambassador Duran said 577 million people around the globe speak Spanish while 480 million people consider Spanish as their mother tongue. “I passionately recommend you to start learning Spanish language as learning Spanish will enable you to interact with millions of Spanish people around the globe”.

He also thanked the embassy staff for making befitting arrangements to make the event a complete success.

Federal Minister Zubaida Jalal also spoke on the occasion and expressed hope to take bilateral relations to further heights. She also dilated upon rich Spanish culture besides underlining various areas of common interest. =DNA

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