Kerry’s visit “brings US relations back on track”: Foreign Ministry

Pakistan said on Friday that the visit of U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, has “contributed bringing back the relations on track.” 

John Kerry wrapped up his three-day visit to Pakistan on Friday, his first to the country following the May 11 general elections and formation of a new government.

He called on President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, the Army Chief, General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, and held official talks with Pakistan’s adviser on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, on bilateral relationship and regional issues.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, described Kerry’s visit successful at his weekly press briefing when asked about the outcome of the visit.

The spokesman referred to the understanding reached during Kerry’s talks about resumption of the strategic dialogue between the two countries and said five working groups including on energy‚ economic cooperation and counter-terrorism within the strategic dialogue will meet in the next two months and hold hectic discussions on enhancement of cooperation in different fields.

The dialogue had been suspended after the US fighter jets bombed a Pakistani border post and killed 24 soldiers in late 2011.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman said the ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue will be held in six months at the culmination of the work done by the working groups.

“Pakistan seeks relationship with the United States on the basis of mutual interest and respect,” Chaudhry said.

To a question of the US objection at the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, he said Pakistani side has shared a non-paper with the US side on the significance of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and other projects which are in the pipeline.

Asked about the outcome during the talks between Mr Kerry and the Pakistani leaders, he said Islamabad categorically conveyed its concerns on the drone attacks to the United States.

“Our position on drone strikes has been noted and hoped it will receive due consideration,” the spokesman said. He maintained that drone attacks are in violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and international laws as well as counterproductive in the war against terrorism.

PAKISTAN-INDIA TALKS: The spokesman said Pakistan has proposed dates to India for resumption of the official talks over controversial dam — Wullar Barrage-  and maritime boundaries — Sir Creek –  two of the major issues on the agenda of the Composite Dialogue.

He said the Indian side is also expected to up come with its own proposed dates for resumption of dialogue.

The spokesperson said leaders of both the countries have expressed the desire to improve the relations and hoped the two countries will engage in an uninterruptable composite dialogue process.

“We have already started track II diplomacy‚ hoping this will reinforce towards normalization of relations between the two countries.”

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said Pakistan believes in peaceful neighborhood and has taken steps to improve relations with all its neighbors including India.  He hoped Pakistani gesture will be reciprocated in the same manner.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Aug 2 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. 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.