Sunday, July 18, 2010

Pak-US ties have taken new turn after strategic talks: Qureshi

* FM says commencement of dialogue has helped broaden scope of bilateral interaction
* Holbrooke reiterates committments to Pakistan’s stability and prosperity

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Relations between Pakistan and the US have taken a new and upward turn following the commencement of the upgraded Pakistan-US strategic dialogue in Washington last year, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Saturday.

In a meeting with US special envoy Richard Holbrooke, the foreign minister discussed in detail the recently concluded Pakistan-US 13-sectoral meetings held in Islamabad within the framework of the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue.

He said since the commencement of the strategic talks, the two countries had been able to broaden the level and scope of bilateral interaction covering important socio-economic development areas, including energy, agriculture, education, health, science and technology, water, communications and public diplomacy, women empowerment, counter-terrorism and security issues.

“The intensive bilateral interaction in the last two years has given a new spirit and shape to our bilateral relationship, which was rooted in our mutual interest, respect and trust,” he said.

Qureshi said the upcoming visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was very important and would help give further impetus to the bilateral relations.

The visit would not only cap the current Pakistan-US strategic dialogue but would also define contours of the way forward. The foreign minister praised the US engagement in several socio-economic development projects across the country, which would accrue direct benefit to the citizens.

Holbrooke reiterated his country’s strong commitment to Pakistan’s stability and prosperity, emphasising that building a long-term strategic partnership between Pakistan and the US was important element of the US foreign policy. Earlier, Holbrooke met Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and reviewed the Pakistan-US strategic dialogue, expressing satisfaction at the outcome of the meetings.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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