News
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Pakistan and US have to restore confidence: UK* Alistair Burt stresses need for removing security concerns hindering Pak-UK relations
* Appreciates Pakistanis sacrifices
By Ijaz Kakakhel
ISLAMABAD: UK’s Minister for South Asia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alistair Burt emphasised, on Tuesday, restoration of confidence between Pakistan and the United States, particularly after the May 2 Abbottabad operation.
Talking to journalists at the British High Commission, he expressed the need for reposing trust in the operational activities being carried out against terrorism by the US in concert with Pakistan’s forces. “Pakistan and the United Kingdom have close relations in terms of trade and other activities,” he said, adding, “However, there are some security concerns in Pakistan that need to be addressed.”
The minister for South Asia said partnership on security among UK, US and Pakistan was same and sought peace in the region, including Afghanistan. “The war on terrorism is not only in the interest of the UK and the US, it is also in the best interests of Pakistan,” he said.
He said that Pakistan had suffered immensely and sacrificed thousands of its soldiers, law enforcement agencies personnel and ordinary people in the ongoing war on terror.
He stressed strengthening security relations among Pakistan, UK and the US. He claimed that on May 2, a joint enemy of all was killed, who was responsible for killing thousands of people across the world.
“Unfortunately, Pakistan has been confronting multiple terrorism challenges and it requires proper care to handle it,” he said.
Keeping in view such uncertain security challenges, the UK minister advocated that Pakistan and US should reinitiate dialogue over terrorism related action and especially operation activities.
He said both countries had to discuss bilateral strategy over operational activities.
According to the minister, intelligence sharing with Pakistan is of vital importance, particularly in the region and claimed that the UK had good relations with Pakistan in this regard.
About the US drone attacks, the UK minister said the US and Pakistan had to observe international law while carrying on such activities. “There is a need for both the countries to encourage confidence-building measures,” he suggested.
Answering a question, he said that the UK strongly supported bilateral negotiations between India and Pakistan for resolving their disputes through talks.
“Both are nuclear powers and war is no solution to any of their problems, as it will only bring destruction to both the countries,” he said.
He also assured the journalists that UK would strongly support provision of GSP plus status to Pakistan and access to the EU market. He also said proper combination of foreign aid and trade was essential for any country.
He said Pakistan and UK had good bilateral trade relations and currently about 0.5 billion UK pounds were carried out yearly. He expressed the hope that it would further improve in future.
“I held meeting with civil and military officials in Pakistan and discussed wide range of issues, including the issue of terrorism”, he added. “I was given warm welcome in Pakistan and I appreciate the hospitality offered by the locals,” he concluded.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk