Pakistan wants to expand cooperation with CERN: PM Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is looking forward to becoming an associate member of France-based European Organisation for Nuclear Research or CERN, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said today.

He made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from the prestigious organisation. Sharif said scientific research and use of advanced technology is the catalyst for economic development.

"Prime Minister said that government of Pakistan would like to strengthen collaboration with CERN in future and is looking forward to becoming an associate member of the organisation," according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

Sharif said Pakistan's engineering base and experience of high-precision manufacturing enable it to make significant contributions to the CERN program.

Pakistan would like to widen its cooperation with CERN into areas which would benefit people, such as cancer treatment and sustainable and cleaner energy, he said.

The four-member CERN delegation included Sergio Bertolucci, Director for Research and Scientific Computing, Rudiger Voss, Head of International Relations, Claude Crottaz and Margret Susan Foffano.

Sharif appreciated the achievements of CERN in science and technology, saying that he was looking forward to visiting the organisation in January but could not due to unavoidable circumstances.

He lauded exchanges of scientists, engineers and students with CERN as this would add to the knowledge and capabilities of Pakistanis.

Sharif said Pakistan has had useful and beneficial cooperation with CERN and expressed confidence that the cooperation will continue in future.