Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Pakistan FM terms US strategic dialogue successful

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Oct 24, IRNA -- Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Sunday described the recently concluded strategic dialogue with the United States as successful and said both sides fully understood each other’s concerns.

The ministerial level October 20-22 Strategic Dialogue held in Washington and a joint statement said the dialogue ?confirmed the United States and Pakistan’s dedication to cultivating a strategic, comprehensive, and long-term partnership’.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the United States would offer two billion dollars in additional military assistance to Pakistan over the next five years.

Qureshi termed the strategic dialogue as ?successful’, ?progressive’ and ?fruitful’, adding that the talks helped improve ties of two close allies of war on terrorism.

Upon his arrival from Washington, Qureshi told reporters at Lahore airport that the dialogue contributed in improving Pakistan-U.S. ties to great extent.

Pakistan and the United States upgraded Strategic Dialogue in March and held the third round in Washington.

“This visit was successful and will prove fruitful in near future,” the foreign minister said and added that two allies came much closer to understand each other’s point of views.

Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the Strategic Dialogue process.

The Ministerial Dialogue was preceded by sectoral track engagement on agriculture, communications and public diplomacy, defense, energy, finance and economic cooperation, health, law enforcement and counter-terrorism, water, and women’s empowerment.

Qureshi said the sectoral meetings covered a broad range of subjects with a clear focus on socio-economic development and the establishment of a mutually beneficial partnership.