News
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Pak-UK cooperation vital for regional peace, says Zardari* British secretary assures of help in the eradication of poverty, assistance in finding EU markets for Pakistani goods
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday said that Pakistan and UK’s multi-dimensional cooperation in various areas, especially in socio-economic fields is vital for creating opportunities for development and for promoting peace and security in the region.
He expressed these views during a meeting with British Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell, who called on him on Wednesday at the Aiwan-e-Sadar.
While discussing the regional situation, the president said that Pakistan has legitimate interest in the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said that any initiative on Afghanistan should ensure Afghan ownership of the process as well as the territorial integrity of the country, national reconciliation and peace and stability.
The president felicitated the Conservative Party on its victory in the recently held general elections in the UK while pointing towards a number of Pakistan origin Britons who have been elected to the House of Commons in the general elections.
Expressing delight over the appointment of Baroness Warsi as chairperson of the Conservative Party, the president said that the one million strong Pakistani community in the UK serves as a bridge between the two countries.
Separately, the British secretary of state for international affairs also called upon Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House.
Yousaf stated that Pakistan wants trade rather than aid in order to strengthen its economy. This, he added, is essential for reviving the national economic architecture, which has been adversely hit due to Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in the war against terror.
Assistance: British Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell said that the UK would do everything to help Pakistan in its efforts towards eradicating poverty and boosting literacy. He assured that the UK would make its contribution towards the development of FATA and other militancy affected areas.
He also gave the assurance that the UK would continue to support Pakistan in finding access to EU markets.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk