ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Berlin Monday on a two-day official visit on the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, Nawaz will hold talks with Chancellor Merkel that will be followed by a lunch in his honour. He is also scheduled to meet with President of the German Parliament.

Furthermore, Nawaz will also address a Business Forum organised by the Pakistan Board of Investment, which is expected to be attended by a large number of German business executives and investors.

Pakistan and Germany enjoy close and cordial relations as Germany is Pakistan’s fourth largest trading partner globally and the largest in the EU. Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Germany stands at 2.5 billion dollars annually.

The two countries also have a strong collaboration in various other fields. The premier's visit is intended to help in strengthening the ties between the two countries.

There is also a strong Pakistani diaspora of over 70,000 living in Germany. In addition, there are more than 2,300 students from Pakistan studying in German universities.

Meanwhile, in an interview with a German television channel, the premier has reaffirmed his resolve to get rid of the energy crisis in Pakistan at all costs to ensure an early economic revival.

PM Nawaz has also invited German investors to invest in Pakistan, particularly in the energy and agriculture sectors.

He said there is great scope for investment in agriculture, livestock and forestry in Pakistan and Germany could prove to be an important partner in these sectors.

In response to a question, Nawaz said that Pakistan wants peace in the region and for this purpose he is extending maximum possible cooperation to ensure stability in Afghanistan. He further said that elimination of terrorism would serve the interests of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and help strengthen their economies.

The PM also said that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani would soon visit Pakistan.

Separately, the premier said that Operation Zarb-i-Azb was ongoing in North Waziristan and that Pakistan was determined to eliminate any outfit or group involved in terrorism.

PM to visit UK after Germany: FO spokesperson

After concluding his official visit to Germany, the premier is expected to visit the UK from November 12 to 13 in order to inaugurate the Pakistan-UK Energy Dialogue and Investment Conference to be held in London, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said in an official statement issued in Islamabad.

The spokesperson said the PM will inaugurate the Energy Dialogue and Investment Conference 2014 which will be attended by CEOs and leading figures in the energy sector.

In addition, the PM will also meet British ministers, senior officials and experts in the energy sector.

She said the energy conference will focus on assisting Pakistan to seek investments in addressing its energy needs through shared expertise and best practices.

Sources said this would be the premier's third visit to the UK. He will also visit next month to attend the UK-Pakistan-Afghanistan summit hosted by British PM David Cameron.