LAHORE, Oct 03 (DNA): Ambassador of Spain Carlos Aragon Gil de la Serna called on Punjab Chief Minister(CM),Maryam Nawaz Sharif, here on Saturday.
Measures to promote trade,business,cultural and sports cooperation between Punjab and Spain were discussed during the meeting.
The CM warmly welcomed the Spanish ambassador and appreciated his diplomatic services.
She also congratulated Spain on its victory in the FIFA World Cup.
During the meeting,the two sides reviewed opportunities for enhancing business and trade relations between Spain and Punjab.
The proposal to establish a Punjab-Spain Business Council to promote bilateral trade and business linkages was also considered.
The CM proposed formation of a joint working group to address challenges relating to forest fires,air pollution and heatwaves while the possibilities of declaring Lahore and Barcelona sister cities were also discussed.
Cooperation in culture and arts between Punjab and Spain also came under discussion.
The meeting further considered establishment of a pilot football academy in Lahore,in collaboration with Spain’s La Liga for the training of coaches and footballers.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif appreciated Spain’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine and paid tribute to the Spanish government for the initiative.
She invited the Spanish ambassador and business delegations to visit Lahore and Sialkot,saying that trade and cultural delegations from Spain would be warmly welcomed in Punjab.
The CM said Punjab wanted to benefit from Spain’s experience in dealing with climate change challenges and smog.
She also expressed interest in benefiting from Barcelona’s experience in urban planning,particularly in making roads and public spaces more people-friendly.
The Spanish ambassador thanked CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the warm welcome and expressed his interest in further strengthening cooperation between Spain and Punjab.
