Oct 22 , 2015
News
No deal will be made on nuclear assets, says foreign secretary
Aizaz says Pakistan not want to limit relations with US only on security matters
INP
WASHINGTON – Foreign Affairs Secretary Aizaz Chaudhary on Thursday said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif discussed key issues with the US leadership including improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries.During a press briefing, he reiterated that no deal would be made on Pakistan’s nuclear assets. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz’s meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry was highly effective in which positive developments were made. He informed the journalists that Kerry was made aware by the prime minister of Indian efforts to destabilise Pakistan.
He stated that the US leadership was made clear of the fact that Pakistan’s soil was not being used for attacks against any other country. He stated that the prime minister met with important personalities of the US. Improvement in relations between Pakistan and the US was also highlighted during the meeting while ideas on Afghanistan were also exchanged.
The foreign affairs secretary said that Pakistan’s energy crisis was also discussed and the prime minister also held a meeting with top US officials of the Energy Department.
He also briefed the media on the upcoming meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz with US President Barack Obama, saying improvement of relations between the two countries would be discussed. He said that Pakistan does not want to limit its relations with the US only on matters of security.
– US State Department’s briefing –
During a separate briefing, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said that Secretary of State John Kerry has recognised Pakistan’s sacrifices in targeting extremists during Zarb-e-Azb military operation in tribal areas and other action in rest of the country.
He said that the US has appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, especially in bringing to justice Al Qaida leadership. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Secretary Kerry have highlighted the multidimensional nature of the Pak-US partnership and its importance for regional stability and security.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk