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Tuesday, October 22, 2013Nawaz, Kerry agree economic stability must to counter terror
* Kerry calls Pakistan a ‘democracy that is working hard to get its economy moving and deal with insurgency’
* Nawaz reiterates determination to revive economy
WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed in a meeting that economic stability are necessary to fight terrorism.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Sunday he looks forward to his meeting with President Barack Obama on Wednesday, for discussions on a wide array of subjects, as he outlined his vision for promoting peace and stability in the region to the top American national security advisers at a State Department dinner on the first day of his visit. Soon after his arrival in Washington, Secretary of State John Kerry hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Nawaz, which was attended by senior Obama administration officials, including Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, National Security Adviser Susan Rice, CIA Director John Brennan and Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan James Dobbins.
Welcoming the prime minister, Secretary Kerry expressed the confidence that the visit would provide the necessary impetus to further deepen and expand the US-Pakistan relations. Kerry stressed Pakistan is an important country in the region and the US would be working with the democratic government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in all areas of bilateral relations under the revived mechanism of the Strategic Dialogue. He further appreciated the bold decisions taken by Prime Minister Nawaz for reviving the economy and overcoming the energy shortages.
Prime Minister Nawaz noted that he looked forward to meeting with President Obama at the White House on October 23. Nawaz Sharif reiterated his determination to revive the economy and improve the law and order situation in Pakistan. Other matters of mutual interest, including regional stability and situation in Afghanistan, were also discussed during the dinner meeting, the Pakistani embassy said. “Discussions covered a broad range of domestic and regional issues, including peace and security, counterterrorism cooperation, collaboration on Pakistan’s energy sector, increasing bilateral trade and investment, and the common interest in a secure and stable Afghanistan,” a statement issued after the long dinner meeting said.
Secretary Kerry highlighted the vitality of US-Pakistan relationship. The US “relationship with Pakistan could not be more important”, Kerry said. “We have a lot to talk about and the relationship with Pakistan could not be more important. On its own, a democracy that is working hard to get its economy moving and deal with insurgency and also important to the regional stability,” the US diplomat said. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk