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US regional envoy to visit Pakistan next week

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 2, IRNA -- US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman would travel to Pakistan next week, the US embassy spokesman said on Tuesday.

That would be the first visit to Pakistan of the US diplomat since his appointment as special regional envoy last month.

In addition to his visit to Kabul, Grossman is to visit London (Britain), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Brussels (Belgium), the embassy said.

While in Kabul and Islamabad, Grossman would meet with senior government officials and representatives from civil society and local media, the embassy statement said.

In his meeting, the envoy would emphasize the US commitment to long-term, enduring partnerships with both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He would continue the ongoing dialogues begun by Ambassador (Richard) Holbrooke and reaffirm the message Secretary Clinton made in her February 18 speech to the Asia Society.

Grossman’s visit would conclude with a stop in Brussels where he is to continue close consultations with NATO leadership.

Grossman would also attend the International Contact Group (ICG) meeting in Jeddah and meet with key partners and allies to continue ongoing consultations.

The first ICG meeting of 2011 is to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on March 3, hosted by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Chaired by German SRAP Ambassador Michael Steiner, the ICG would include representatives from nearly 50 countries and international organizations. By hosting the meeting, the OIC would highlight the essential contributions to Afghanistan and Pakistan from Muslim-majority countries.

More than a third of the participants of the ICG are from OIC member states. Afghanistan’s delegation would be headed by Foreign Minister Rassoul and would include Chairman of the High Peace Council Professor Rabbani.

The Government of Pakistan’s delegation would be led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar.

The US ambassador would also travel to London to meet with his SRAP counterpart Ambassador Karen Pierce and attend other key meetings.