Pakistan: Relations with US remained tense in 2011

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 30, IRNA -- Pakistan has admitted that its relations with the United States remained tense and experienced ups and down during the current year (2011) due to some incidents, including the US raid to kill Osama bin Laden and US-led NATO attack on border posts.

The Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit while giving a review of foreign relations during 2011, said that the killing of two nationals by an American official Raymond Davis in the city of Lahore in February also badly affected bilateral relationship.

Pakistani and the US media had described Raymond Davis as undercover CIA agent who was later freed after he reached to pay compensation to the families of the slain Pakistanis.

Refuting the impression that Pakistan and the United States are not on speaking terms, the spokesman said, 'We are on speaking terms with US and trying to put our relations back on track.'

The spokesman said Parliamentary Committee on National Security is reviewing Pak-US relations and Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that its recommendations would be presented to parliament's joint session for final approval on the issue of revisiting the relations with US.

The Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Pakistan wants 'good relations with the US based on mutual respect and dignity', adding that there will be no compromise on national integrity and sovereignty.

Giving an overview of Pakistan's foreign policy during 2011, the spokesman said Pakistan adopted a comprehensive foreign policy that enhanced its image among international community. He said Pakistan was elected non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council that indicates its importance in the world.

Regarding Pak-China relations, the spokesman said relations with China are of paramount importance in the foreign policy arena and Pakistan feels proud of its relations with China.

'Pakistan also gives special importance to its relations with the Muslim countries,' Abdul Basit added.

He added that Pakistan's relations with the European Union are improving while hoping that trade with these countries will also be boostedincrease.

**2050
Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30740774