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Qureshi calls for qualitative improvement in Pak-US ties
WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday said Pakistan seeks a “meaningful” beginning in its relationship with Pakistan at this week’s strategic dialogue between the top officials of two countries.“I am here to make a qualitative difference in our relations,” he said after a meeting with US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke, who called on him and welcomed to Washington for the March 24 talks.
“I agree with Ambassador Holbrooke that this is a process but this process has to be meaningful and it has to be mutually beneficial. It cannot be one-sided,” he said.
Foreign Minister Qureshi will co-chair Wednesday’s strategic dialogue with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The people of Pakistan, Qureshi emphasized, have demonstrated their resolve and their (anti-terror) commitment. “The people of Pakistan want the United States to walk the talk.”
In his remarks, Ambassador Holbrooke said the United States is “going to be announcing a range of actions, some big some small that move the process forward on issues from energy to water to education, to security issues. The Congress will be involved.”
“We consider this to be a very important trip. I do want to be clear that no single trip ends an issue. This is a process.”
Underscoring the importance of relations with Pakistan, Holbrooke said the strategic dialogue will bring together very important officials from both sides.
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani and senior members of Ambassador Holbrooke’s team also attended the meeting.
Courtesy www.Geo.tv