Pakistan, UK to move forward on stratgic dialogue

By NNN-APP,

Islamabad : Pakistan and UK Saturday moved forward on the strategic dialogue between the two countries and agreed to establish a foundation of their citizens to promote bilateral ties.


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Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his British counterpart David Miliband jointly addressing a press conference at the Foreign Office following bilateral talks vowed to tap the energy and vitality of the British-Pakistanis in closer cultural and educational exchanges.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while addressing the press conference offered the UK to provide ammunition for the British and the Coalition Forces from Pakistan Ordnance Factories as it has been producing quality and standard ammunition.

He said Pakistan also conveyed concern over the “increasing difficulties” of the Pakistani students and its diplomats regarding visa issues.

Regarding Pakistani students arrested in UK last year, and majority of whom were released without any charges, David Miliband said the legal process takes a long time and the “law of land has to take its course.”

He said the students were provided defence counsel and added that legal process was going on.

He said he was here to discuss the London Conference on Afghanistan being held on January 28, and attended by 60 countries. Miliband said he wanted to know Pakistan’s perspective on the situation in the insurgency-torn neighbour.

“Stability, security and prosperity in Afghanistan depends on the same values in Pakistan,” he said.

Appreciating the efforts of Pakistan to fight against extremism and terrorism, Miliband said the success in counter-terrorism has given enough confidence to the international community.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan will participate in the conference in a constructive and supportive manner as peace in Afghanistan was vital for it.

He said the two sides also discussed counter-terrorism cooperation and noted the sacrifices made by the people of Pakistan and its law-enforcement agencies against militancy and extremism, besides the successes in Waziristan.

The British Foreign Secretary, who is on his sixth visit to Pakistan, said the British Pakistani Education task force was an important step forward adding that an important meeting will be held very soon.

He said he was also here as a European and desired closer cooperation between Pakistan and European Union and mentioned the forthcoming summit in April.

He said there was wide scope of cooperation between Pakistan and the European Union as the two sides were yet to explore their full “untapped potential”. “We can really take it forward,” he added.

To a question Miliband said the United Kingdom has extended a development assistance of 65 million pounds for various sectors in Pakistan.

He said UK has also announced to provide 665 million pounds to Pakistan in four years.
He said in the wake of Mumbai attacks in 2009 he asked Pakistan to move forward with India and cooperate in the ongoing investigation.

Miliband said, “The fact that some people are on trial is good and should be see-through.”

He termed the Mumbai attack a setback to cooperation between Pakistan and India.
The British Foreign Secretary said civilian and democratic type of governments were best suited for Pakistan.

He said the Friends of Democratic Pakistan also support a civilian government here.
He congratulated Pakistani authorities for managing the Internally Displaced Persons at various relief camps and for their early return.

About Aafia Siddiqi’s detention by the US authorities, Miliband said he does not recognize that US and UK represent one civilization. “There is one civilization that is human rights that matter, and it can not be divided on east-west basis and race.”

Refusing to comment on Aafia Siddiqi’s case, he said he was extremely careful on making comments even on individual cases and this matter was between two countries.
Miliband added “Britain always speaks without fear or favour and we do not discriminate on human rights.”

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said both the countries also discussed the forthcoming meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan being held in Abu Dhabi on January 26.

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