NATO asks Pakistan to restore supply-line

Urging Pakistan to step up its efforts to fight terrorism and to open the transit supply route to allied forces battling in Afghanistan, Secretary General North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Anders Fogh Rasmussen requested to open the transit supply-line.

While addressing a press conference, he observed, “And when it comes to our relationship with Pakistan, my main point is to stress that we need a positive engagement of Pakistan if we are to ensure long-term peace and stability not only in Afghanistan but in the region as such. So we want a strong and positive cooperation and relationship with Pakistan”.

He briefed a meeting of NATO foreign ministers with non-NATO countries contributing troops to ISAF (International Security Assistance Forces).

He added, “We have two problems in our relationship with Pakistan. The first is a very immediate challenge to see the transit routes through Pakistan reopened. It is of course an essential element in our operation in Afghanistan that we can cooperate with Pakistan when it comes to transit. So we hope to see these transit routes reopened as soon as possible”.

Rasmussen while chairing the ISAF ministerial meeting claimed discussions helped to prepare for next month’s NATO summit in Chicago.

NATO’s 28 foreign ministers and 22 ISAF partner nations were joined in talks in Brussels today by the Afghan foreign and defence ministers, the European Union High Representative, the United Nations Special Representative and the Foreign Minister of Japan.

On Thursday, Pakistan said it was yet to decide on attending a NATO Summit next month that will focus on Afghanistan.

However, it said that was considering a work plan on resetting relationships with the United States on the basis of guidelines approved by joint-sitting of the parliament.

Meanwhile, the government is working to develop a work plan for new terms of engagement with the US in line with guidelines that were recently approved by a joint-sitting of parliament.

The NATO Summit in Chicago is expected to discuss key issues like funding of Afghan security expenditure and foreign troop levels in the war-torn country in the period up to 2014.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=19643

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Apr 20 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.