News
Thursday, May 05, 2011
France assures Pakistan of defence, anti-terror cooperation
* Gilani says Pakistan fighting terrorism in its own interest
* Quashes reports in Western media that times ahead would be difficult for Pakistan
PARIS: France on Wednesday assured Pakistan help in enhancing the capability of its law enforcement agencies and full cooperation in combating militancy and terrorism with increased cooperation in defence and security.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who is here on a three-day visit to take the French leadership into confidence on regional situation and the measures being taken by Pakistan as a front line state in war on terror, said the two countries were working together on several fronts.
“We are on the same page,” Gilani told reporters at the Elysee Palace after his meeting with French President Nicholas Sarkozy.
He said Pakistan had the resolve and the ability to fight extremism, and added that “We want to fight terrorism in our own interest.”
Gilani dismissed reports in Western media that times ahead would be difficult for Pakistan.
“There is no threat to Pakistan. West is supporting Pakistan as it is a responsible nation.”
Gilani said Pakistan had had cooperation with the United States in intelligence and defence sectors for the past sixty years.
He seconded the statement issued by US President Barack Obama, who, he said, had given his point of view, which should be accepted.
“We should go with the statement of President Obama,” the prime minister said when asked if the US operation to nab Osama Bin Laden was in violation of Pakistan’s airspace.
He said, “Whatever we [Pakistan and the US] are doing, are doing together,” adding that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had been working together for the last 60 years.
He also denied any differences between the two intelligence services. “We are on good terms with them,” he added.
Gilani did not agree to a question regarding the threat by the US Congress to cut aid to Pakistan after the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
“I don’t think so,” he said when asked about the US Congress’s intention to slash aid to Pakistan.
Gilani described his meeting with President Sarkozy as “very productive and friendly” and said they discussed a whole range of issues, besides important regional and global matters of mutual interest.
To a question regarding Pakistan’s severe energy shortfall and talks for cooperation in the energy sector, Gilani said France had no objection to Pakistan’s use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
He said President Sarkozy and he had agreed on giving priority to increasing the bilateral trade and investment, besides cooperation in security matters.
Gilani, during the talks, also briefed the French president on the ‘enormous opportunities’ Pakistan offers to French investors and businessmen.
He recalled his meeting with the French corporate leaders at the MEDEF and noted with satisfaction the setting up of the Pakistan-France Joint Business Council to promote business to business contacts and enhance trade and investment ties between the two countries.
He also announced the decision to set up a Joint Economic and Trade Committee at the official level.
During the talks the two leaders also pondered over the situation in Afghanistan.
Gilani said about his talks with President Sarkozy, they also focused on the situation in Afghanistan. He said Pakistan was interested in seeing return of normalcy to Afghanistan, so that the transition completes by 2014 and said Pakistan remains committed to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
Gilani said he was visiting France to “deepen and broaden the bilateral interaction” in diverse fields, besides improving mutual understanding and cooperation on regional and global issues.
He said special attention would be focused on ways and means to augment economic relations for mutual benefit.
The prime minister said Pakistan valued its partnership with France and said it was characterised by close coordination not only at the bilateral level but also in the context of the European Union.
To a question about the situation involving the minority community, the prime minister said the murder of former minister for minorities and the Punjab governor were not the result of blasphemy.
He said on the contrary these were acts of terrorism and should not be seen otherwise.
He said France was the second largest trading partner of Pakistan and there was a need for the two countries to facilitate their private sectors to enter into joint ventures and increase the current trade volume of US$ 1.1 billion. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk