Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is on a visit to Germany, a trip the reporting describes as the first by a Pakistani head of state there in 23 years. The German Ministry of Defense staged a ceremonial welcome in his honor upon his arrival. Soldiers presented the visiting president with a guard of honor as part of the reception. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier greeted Zardari at the ministry and welcomed him in person. The web desk report described the occasion as grand and solemn, befitting a state guest. The long gap since the previous presidential visit puts extra attention on this trip. Further engagements during Zardari's stay were not listed in the available report.