News
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Pakistan, Jordan call for early conclusion of FTA
* King Abdullah says Jordan values sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in fight against terrorism
DEAD SEA: President Asif Ali Zardari and King Abdullah of Jordan, on Saturday, called for an early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and holding of the second round of talks soon for this purpose.
The two leaders, who met here on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF), discussed bilateral relations as well as regional situation. Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that the president also called for an early holding of the 9th session of the Joint Ministerial Commission which, he said, was a useful forum for improving relations in various fields.
The president thanked the Jordanian monarch for Jordan’s support to Pakistan’s candidature for the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council to which Pakistan was elected on Friday as well as for its assistance to the flood victims of Sindh.
The president said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Jordan and highlighted great potential to further deepen the bilateral ties, particularly in the economic field. Zardari said that 10, 000 strong Pakistani community further cemented the relations between the two countries and highlighted the issues of Pakistani farmers in Jordan. The president also invited King Abdullah and Queen Rania to visit Pakistan.
About the regional situation, the president said that Pakistan always supported the legitimate cause of the Palestinian people.
Recalling fundamental elements of the foreign policy, the president stressed total withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied Arab territories, restitution of inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to return to Palestine and establishment of an independent homeland for Palestinians with Al Quds Al Sharif as its capital.
Zardari said that Pakistan supported peace for land offer, made by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia for achieving peace in the region. About situation in the Middle East, the president said that Pakistan had taken a principled position on developments in North Africa, Middle East and Gulf. “This position is based on the premise that sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the states should be respected and all should adhere to the principle of non-intervention and non-interference,” he said. Emphasising Pakistan’s interest in a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, the president said that Pakistan was keen to see the success of Istanbul Regional Conference scheduled to be held early next month and also the Bonn Conference in December this year. Welcoming Zardari to Jordan, the monarch felicitated Pakistan on winning the non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council. King Abdullah of Jordan also highlighted close ties between the two countries and agreed that there was a need to further strengthen these ties, particularly in the economic sphere.
King Abdullah said that Jordan valued the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan, both materially and physically, in fighting militancy. The president also had a separate meeting with Prof Klaus Schwab, WEF founder and executive chairman.
President of the Senate of Jordan Taher Al Masri also called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed matters of mutual interest. The two sides had a frank discussion on matters of bilateral interest, with particular focus on the need for enhanced interaction between parliaments of the two countries through exchanges of parliamentary delegations. Deputy Secretary General of the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Richard Boucher also called on President Asif Ali Zardari. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk