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Pakistan seeks French's civilian nuclear cooperation

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, March 31, IRNA
Pakistan-Civilian Nuclear
Pakistan on Friday sought civilian nuclear cooperation from France, which concluded a civilian nuclear agreement with India in February this year.

Pakistan made the call in a meeting with a four-member visiting delegation of the French Senate Commission for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces, headed by Jean Francois-Poncet, former Foreign Minister, which called on Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, in the Foreign Office.

The Foreign Minister also briefed Senator Poncet about Pakistan's growing energy requirements in view of its rapid economic development and stressed the need for a non-discriminatory approach by all Nuclear Suppliers Group members including France towards cooperation with Pakistan in the civilian nuclear sector, a Foreign Office statement said.

A wide range of bilateral issues were discussed with a view to enhancing cooperation in different areas and the Foreign Minister briefed him on Pakistan's role as an anchor of peace and stability in the region, it said.

Exchange of views over various regional issues including composite dialogue with India and Afghanistan also took place.

The Foreign Minister also briefed him about Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan maintaining that a strong, stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in the interest of peace and stability in the region.

Foreign Minister Kasuri appraised him in detail of the dialogue process with India aimed at addressing all the outstanding issues including the issue of Kashmir.

The Foreign Minister briefed the delegation about Pakistan's efforts in the fight against terrorism and stressed that a holistic approach by the international community would be required to defeat the menace of terrorism that would combine diplomatic and political efforts with economic cooperation to strengthen institutions of civil society.

Senator Poncet, appreciating President Pervez Musharraf's vision of Enlightened Moderation, commended Pakistan's role in promoting peace and stability and rooting out extremism from its society, the statement said.

He also appreciated Pakistan's impressive economic development and stated that Pakistan is playing a credible role in regional peace, security and development.

He maintained that Pakistan can be a bridge between the West and the Muslim world to create better understanding and cooperation between the Two.

2020/235/1420