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David Miliband calls on President Zardari
LONDON: British Foreign Secretary David Miliband called on President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday.They reviewed bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction that the relationships between the two countries have been strengthened ever since the democratic government assumed office in Pakistan.Zardari is currently on a private visit to the United Kingdom.
The close cooperation has been manifested in the increased number of high level visits, and enhancement of UK’s development assistance from 240 million pound sterling in 2007 to 665 million pound sterling, which is an acknowledgment of Pakistan’s contribution to the international war on terror, and the need to offset the negative impact in socio-economic sectors.
Appreciating Pakistani forces successful military operations against the militants and the extremists, Miliband paid tribute to those Pakistanis who laid down their lives in this noble cause.
President Zardari and the UK Foreign Secretary noted that the progress in relations has been further marked with the establishment of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP), pioneered by the Great Britain’s agreement to establish a summit level strategic dialogue during President’s visit in May 2009, and formation of a high level Education Task Force by the UK to assist Pakistan in reforming its education sector.
The issues of visas, particularly of the Pakistani students and immigration matters, also came under discussion. They assessed the regional situation including Indo-Pak dialogue and Afghanistan.
Miliband stressed the need for India and Pakistan to engage with each other and supported resumption of composite dialogue between the two countries.
Courtesy www.Geo.tv