News
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
Cameron seeks ‘fresh start’ with Pakistan
* Pakistan, UK launch ‘enhanced strategic dialogue’ to strength bilateral relations in trade, security and education
* Agree to increase bilateral trade to 2.5bn pounds
ISLAMABAD: British Prime Minister David Cameron called for a new start in relations with Pakistan on Tuesday, eight months after sparking a diplomatic row by saying Pakistan should not be allowed to “look both ways” on terrorism.
“Let’s make today a fresh start in our relationship,” said Cameron on his first trip to Pakistan as Britain’s leader, which he undertook to improve cooperation on counter-terrorism operations and Afghanistan, and set a new pace for bilateral ties by entering enhanced strategic dialogue with Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office at the conclusion of Cameron’s visit, a declaration on the “enhanced strategic dialogue partnership” was signed by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Cameron to underpin the two countries’ enduring partnership based on sovereign equality, mutual trust and respect.
The dialogue will intensify cooperation on shared interests, including trade, economic stability and development, cultural cooperation, education and security. Both the countries will also consult, cooperate and coordinate on global and regional issues with a view to promoting stability, peace and security.
During the meeting, the two premiers agreed that economic stability and socio-economic development were key priorities to ensure prosperity for future generations. They agreed to a regular dialogue between their governments on economic reform, with an emphasis on trade and investments as the route to prosperity.
On trade, they set a target of increasing bilateral trade in goods and services to 2.5 billion pounds a year by 2015. The British premier pledged to continue to advocate for Pakistan to gain enhanced trade access to the European Union (EU) including through GSP+.
Both the leaders also recognised the huge potential for transformation and innovation in schooling and the social and economic benefits this would bring to the future generations. To support this commitment, Cameron announced UK assistance of up to 650 million pounds to get over four million Pakistani children into school. The UK will also explore cooperation with Pakistan in its plan to upgrade the school system nationwide and utilise information and communication technologies. Cameron announced that the UK would be increasing the number of Chevening Scholarships for post-graduate Pakistani students by 50 percent.
On security, the two leaders committed to address their shared national security challenges. They agreed that terrorism and extremism were global issues and needed to be combated by intensifying cooperation at the global and regional levels.
The British premier recognised the sacrifices made by Pakistan’s military, civil law enforcement agencies and people in fighting terrorism and appreciated the efforts of the democratic government.
The two prime ministers agreed that a programme to share experience in countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) would be a priority for the next year.
Earlier in the day, both the leaders convened a National Security Discussion, bringing together civilian and military experts to discuss the common challenges both the countries face. staff report/agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk