Apr 18 , 2015

News

Pak, US agree to strengthen bilateral ties
INP

WASHINGTON – Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Senator Ishaq Dar met with US Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at the State Department on Friday.

The finance minister was joined by Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani and Finance Secretary Waqar Masood.

Recalling the recent high-level exchanges from both sides, especially the visit of Commerce Secretary Pritzker to Islamabad in March to attend the US-Pakistan Business Opportunities Conference, the two sides expressed satisfaction over the state of play in the relationship and agreed to intensify the engagements in the coming months to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral cooperation in all areas.

Senator Dar shared with the deputy secretary of state the important achievements in the economic sector that led to upgrading of Pakistan's economic outlook in recent months. The significant decrease in inflation, growing foreign exchange reserves, stable exchange rate and shrinking fiscal deficit, the finance minister underlined, were the results of sound economic policies pursued by the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Senator Dar also briefed the US side on the ongoing efforts for return and rehabilitation of temporarily displaced persons to their homes in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), following the clearing of areas by the successful military operations.

Noting the significant improvement in the security situation in the country, Deputy Secretary Blinken stressed the need to continue building momentum on expanded trade, investment and economic cooperation between Pakistan and the United States. The two sides also agreed that energy remains the vital area with immense potential for enhanced cooperation. In this context, it was emphasised that the forthcoming meeting of the Working Group on Energy should review the entire range of collaboration to assist Pakistan in overcoming its energy deficiency.

The two sides also discussed the situation of peace and security in the broader region. It was agreed that a collective response of the international community was imperative to address the emerging threats to international peace and security.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk



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