LAHORE, Feb 6: Outgoing Swedish ambassador Anna Karin Enestrom called on Governor Salmaan Taseer here on Friday.

Mr Taseer praised Ms Enestrom’s role in promoting cooperation between the two countries in education, adding that he hoped that talks between Pakistan and European Union regarding a free trade agreement would conclude when Sweden would occupy presidency of the regional bloc.

He said as Islamabad was the most important strategic partner in the war against terrorism it should also be made the most important trade partner.

He said due to downslide in oil prices in the world market at least $500 million were being added to the national exchequer.

He downplayed threats to democracy in the country and said the democratic system was stable.

About coalition governments in various countries, he said a similar experiment was being successfully conducted in Punjab. He said if the present coalition could not work for long in a democratic manner, it could make way for another coalition as no party in the province enjoyed a clear mandate.