Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has arrived in Germany on a four-day visit to promote economic ties and discuss the campaign against terrorism.

Before leaving for Berlin, Gilani told reporters that Germany was Pakistan's "important trading partner." The main agenda of his visit is to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the areas of trade, economics, science, technology, health, and education.

Gilani said in an interview with DPA in Islamabad that his country wants Western states to provide a joint strategy to fight the scourge of the Taliban insurgency in Pakistan and the Afghanistan border.

"We have highlighted our concerns about a possible increase in US forces in Afghanistan," said Gilani. "Our fear is that if they increase troops... the militants might spill over to Pakistan."

He also stated that he would ask Berlin to support the idea of giving Pakistan greater access to the EU market.

Gilani said he is scheduled to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday to discuss the new Afghanistan and Pakistan policies that US President Barack Obama is expected to announce on the same day.

He briefly met with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Berlin on Monday.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi, who is accompanying Gilani, also met his German counterpart separately.

At the meeting, Westerwelle praised Pakistan's efforts in the campaign against terrorism.

FTP/MB/HGL