CERN delegation calls on Nawaz

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said that the Pakistan government would like to strengthen collaboration with the European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, in future and is looking forward to becoming an associate member of the organization.

Mr. Sharif told a four- member delegation of CERN who called on him that the engineering base and experience of high precision manufacturing enabled Pakistan to make a significant contribution to

the CERN programme, a statement from the Prime Minister's office said.

The CERN delegation included Dr. Sergio Bertolucci, Director for Research and Scientific Computing, Dr Rudiger Voss Head of International Relations, Mr. Claude Crottaz and Mrs. Margret Susan Foffano. Dr. Ansar Parvez, Chairperson, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and other government official were also present on the occasion.

Mr. Sharif said the government was fully committed to enhancing Pakistan's scientific exchange through cooperation with the international scientific community. He said that Pakistan had a long history of successful collaboration with CERN and has several cooperation agreements. He said the government would like to maintain, even widen the spectrum of its cooperation with CERN into areas which would benefit humanity such as cancer treatment and sustainable and cleaner energy.

Mr. Sharif had cancelled a scheduled visit to CERN in January.