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French-Pakistani relations

France	Pakistan

The France–Pakistan relations refers to the bilateral, cultural, and international relations between France and Pakistan. Historically bonded and friendly, the relationships are based on military, defence, cultural, educational cooperation and economic ties. Trade between the two countries is generally increasing with time.

History

The foreign relations between Pakistan and France were first established on 31 July 1951 when both countries agreed to open embassy services in each countries.France was the first non-Muslim state to recognize Pakistan. On August 1960, a farewell trade treaty was signed; followed by import-export treaty that was concluded October 1966. During the Cold war, France considered Pakistan as "state deserving attention", and had been a major foreign supplier of Pakistan Armed Forces.

After the Cold war, France's foreign policy has been noted for decades for its special Gaullist flavour, which was not much altered under the long Presidency of socialist François Mitterrand (1981-1995). French Presidents visited India more often than Pakistan, and Paris has never met the expectations of Islamabad regarding the U.N. resolutions on Kashmir. The relations again suffered many set back in 1998-99 when Paris saw the Kargil episode as a dangerous Pakistan initiative, considering the new nuclearised regional context. Though, France has always been to encourage dialogue between India and Pakistan, without offering mediation in such an intricate issue. There was some impatience in Paris decision-makers circles when the Line of Control was crossed above Kargil in an obviously well prepared operation.

Cultural Relations

Bilateral aid in cooperation and cultural action has two main targets: supporting the Pakistani government’s academic policy and consolidating France’s influence in the fields of culture, language, social sciences, governance and archaeology.

Economic Relations

The first trade agreement was signed in 1966, and Pakistan is currently ranked as 65th import partner of France. The bilateral trade was reached to US$313 million in 2009.

Business

Pakistan France Business Alliance (PFBA)

In 1991, Pakistan France Business Alliance (PFBA) was established. PFBA aims to encourage and promote business, culture events, mutual understanding and sociable relations between the business communities of Pakistan and France. In pursuit of this, the PFBA encourages, participation and facilitation of exchange of trade delegations between the two countries.

Infrastructure

France with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is providing co-financing of €130 million for the Bus Rapid Transit in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project will enable the financing of 65 km of bus-reserved lanes, 150 stops and 450 hybrid buses. A similar project could be financed in Karachi in the coming years.

China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

In October 2018, France supported China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) concept and is ready to invest in the this project provided balance and transparency is ensured.

Energy Relations

France is becoming involved in the financing of energy effectiveness and is counting on Pakistan’s huge and still largely unexploited electrical energy potential.

Hydro

France is financing the rehabilitation of Warsak, Dargai and Chitral hydroelectric power stations and the construction of the Jaggran-II and Harpo hydroelectric power stations.

Nuclear

In 2009, France agreed to provide financial capital to expand the use of nuclear power in Pakistan. While, the officials at Islamabad termed it as "significant move", the Foreign service office maintained that: "France has agreed to transfer civilian nuclear technology to Pakistan." The French Foreign ministry had confirmed that the country was ready, within the framework of its international agreements, to "co-operate with Pakistan" in the field of nuclear safety. "This is so the Pakistan's programme can develop in the best conditions of safety and security", the French foreign officials added to APP. After the agreement, France maintained that "this is the beginning of a civil nuclear partnership and the cooperation will be limited to nuclear safety."

Renewable

In November 2018, France is looking into all possibilities of cooperation with Pakistan in the field of renewable energy.

Security Relations

Since 1967, France had been an important partner, particularly for PAF and the Navy. In 1967, France sold first batch of its Mirage fighters as well as sold the submarine technology to Pakistan. The PAF bought second-hand batch of Mirage fighters in 1990; followed by a contract signing in 1996 for the acquisition of 40 reconnaissance aircraft. The PAF is the largest customer of France's aerospace industry with numbers of fighter and civilian aircraft having been sold to Pakistan since 1967 till the 2000s. The Navy has also an established defence connection with France, the best known purchasing of Daphné class submarine and the submarine technology transfer of the Agost class which was signed in 1994.

France’s cooperation with Pakistan is implemented through two instruments: bilateral cooperation and the work of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD, French Development Agency).

Bilateral aid in cooperation and cultural action has two main targets: supporting the Pakistani government’s academic policy and consolidating France’s influence in the fields of culture, language, social sciences, governance and archaeology.

Our academic cooperation focuses on students at Master’s, doctorate or post-doctorate level, either in the framework of Pakistani government grants or for students in international mobility. The Pakistan-France Alumni Network is a key asset, fostering the influence and visibility of the French Embassy’s activities. Our scientific and technological cooperation is also aimed at supporting joint projects led by French and Pakistani research laboratories (“Péridot” Hubert Curien Partnerships, launched in September 2014), as well as fostering ties between innovation and entrepreneurship.

French language, culture and ideas are promoted through a network of three Alliance Française branches (Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad).

Trade and Economics relations

The first trade agreement was signed in 1966, and Pakistan is currently ranked as 65th import partner of France. The bilateral trade was reached to US$313 million in 2009.

See also

• Musa Javed Chohan: former ambassador of Pakistan to France and recipient of the Ordre National du Merite for the promotion of bilateral cooperation between France and Pakistan.
• Pakistanis in France
• French people in Pakistan
• Mehmood Bhatti (Fashion Designer)
• Karachi affair

References

Pakistan Category:Bilateral relations of Pakistan