Global General

Pakistan, Britain to launch strategic dialogue

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-09 20:23

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Britain have discussed proposals for initiation of a strategic dialogue and establishment of a Pakistan-Britain Foundation to further promote ties between the two countries, foreign ministers of the two countries said here on Saturday.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a joint news conference with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Miliband that Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had agreed to a strategic dialogue.

Qureshi said the two sides laid down the objectives, structure, schedule of meetings and the areas for consultations under the strategic dialogue.

He said the foundation would be aimed at utilizing good offices of over one million strong Pakistani Diaspora in Britain to promote better bilateral ties, investment in Pakistan, enhancing bilateral trade, promoting inter-faith dialogue and removing misunderstanding if it exists.

Qureshi said the two sides also discussed the forthcoming London Conference on Afghanistan, to be held on January 28. Pakistan has welcomed the initiative and will participate in the moot in a constructive and supportive manner as it believes that stability and peace in Afghanistan is vital for Pakistan.

He said that they also had discussions on defense cooperation. Pakistan proposed to Britain that if desired the quality ammunition produced at the Pakistan Ordnance Factories can be provided to Britain and coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Discussions were also focused on counter-terrorism and progress made in the area, successful operation launched in northwest Pakistan's Swat and sacrifices of Pakistani people and armed forces.

Miliband, who is on his two-day visit to Pakistan, said Pakistan and Britain have deep rooted ties in the fields of culture, trade, economy, security and politics. He said the Britain is providing more than one billion U.S. dollars to Pakistan over four years to help it address its development needs.

He said he was here primarily to discuss about the London Conference on Afghanistan and to know about Pakistan's perspective on the situation in that country.

Miliband noted that stability of Pakistan depends upon stable Afghanistan and Pakistan has a vital partnership in finding solution and progress in Afghanistan. He underscored the achievement of the Pakistani government during the last one and a half year in forging different kind of relationship with the Afghan government.

Miliband said the London Conference would look at Afghanistan's security, development and governance needs and the contribution that the regional countries can make in its security and development.