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Friday, October 04, 2013
‘Cooperation with UK to be enhanced’ISLAMABAD: Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz Thursday said cooperation with Britain will be further enhanced in the fields of trade, defence, security, education and health.
He was addressing a joint news conference along with British Senior Minister of State Foreign and Commonwealth Office Baroness Sayeeda Warsi at the Foreign Office after their meeting. Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistanis living in British are important assets. He hoped that they will continue to play their role in promoting Pakistan-Britain relations. The adviser said Pakistan has rendered numerous sacrifices in the war against terrorism and that the objective of dialogue with Taliban is to establish peace. He said they had fruitful interaction in their meeting.
Meanwhile, Sayeeda Warsi said Pakistan and Britain have deep-rooted relations and these ties will be further strengthened in all the fields. She emphasised the need to resolve the Kashmir issue to ensure peace and stability in the region. Replying to a question, Sartaj Aziz said Kashmir issue between Pakistan and India should be resolved on priority. He also said international laws should be implemented regarding drone attacks, as these are counterproductive and violative of international laws. Aziz said it is a good omen that the previous government in Pakistan has completed its constitutional term and new democratic government has taken the charge.
Aziz and Warsi discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest, especially the Pakistan-UK Trade and Investment Roadmap launched in February 2012. They agreed to take effective steps towards realisation of targets, especially raising the bilateral trade to 3 billion pounds by 2015. Sartaj Aziz stated that Pakistan attached high importance to its relations with the United Kingdom, which is also its second largest trading partner in Europe. Baroness Warsi reiterated her government’s policy of maintaining and strengthening the bilateral relations and expressed support to Pakistan’s quest for inclusion in the GSP Plus Scheme in the European Union.
Aziz and Baroness Warsi also exchanged views on important international and regional issues, including Pakistan-India relations and the Peace and Reconciliation process in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Thursday lauded Baroness Warsi’s efforts for strengthening the bond of Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom with their homeland. Talking to Baroness Warsi, who called on him here, he said Pakistan considered United Kingdom a close friend and a genuine development partner. Highlighting the importance of Pak-UK relations, Nawaz Sharif said the visit to Islamabad by British Prime Minister David Cameron as the first head of government after the general elections was a testimony to the special relationship. Baroness Warsi apprised the prime minister about the progress made on Pakistan-UK Enhanced Strategic Dialogue, Trade Investment Roadmap and support provided by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) for various projects in Pakistan. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk