Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf Sunday embarked on an eight-day visit to four European nations that will take him to Belgium, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Musharraf is accompanied by several members of the caretaker cabinet and senior officials, the state-run PTV reported.
Brussels is the first destination of Musharraf's visit. He will meet the European Union leaders including High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana, according to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry.
He will also address the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. His talks with EU leaders would cover the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with emphasis on exploring ways and means to further enhance cooperation in various fields including commerce, economy, trade and defense, a foreign ministry statement said.
"The EU is the largest trading partner with the overall annual volume of trade worth 9 billion U.S. dollars and also the largest foreign investor and development cooperation partner," it said.
Musharraf's engagements in Brussels would also include talks with Belgian Prime Minister Guy Vehhofstadt, aimed at promoting understanding and cooperation.
Musharraf will also address the Pakistani community, business leaders and a Brussels-based think tank, it added.
On Jan. 21 and 22, Musharraf will visit France to hold talks with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy besides addressing French business leaders, the Pakistani community and representatives of a think tank.
During his visit to the eastern Swiss town of Davos, Musharraf will attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum from Jan. 23 to 25.
Musharraf will also meet a number of political and corporate leaders in Davos on the sidelines of the WEF meeting.
During his visit to the UK from Jan. 26 to 28, Musharraf will meet British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. He will also address the Pakistani community and business leaders there.
Source:Xinhua
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