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Summary
Chairperson of the United Kingdom (UK) Conservative Party Baroness Sayeeda Warsi called on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday and matters relating to Pak-UK bilateral relations, strengthening of mutual cooperation, regional situation and the role of Pak-origin citizens abroad were discussed along with war against terror. The President during the meeting appreciated the achievements of Pak-origin Ms. Warsi and said it was a matter of great pride for the Pakistani people that she was playing such a leading role in a country that is regarded as the mother of democracy.While discussing Pak-UK relations, the President emphasized upon the need for both the countries to work closely for further strengthening their partnership in various areas, particularly in trade and investment and educational development with a view to eliminate militancy and terrorism from Pakistan and promoting peace and security of the region and the world. He said that militancy and terrorism was the common enemy and that the cooperation between the two countries must continue to fight this war.The President urged Ms. Warsi to use her influence for setting up Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in conflict ridden areas, with the facility to export the goods to the markets of European Union countries. The President also pointed towards visa delay issues and highlighted the need for further strengthening student exchange programmes so that the students from Pakistan who intend to pursue their higher studies in the UK could be facilitated.The President appreciated UKs development assistance worth 665 million committed for 2009-2013 and additional 50 million assistance to support Pakistans development plans.Ms. Sayeeda Warsi and British High Commissioner Adam Thomson appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan government and its security forces against militancy and reiterated British support to the democratic government in fighting militancy. They said that Britain would continue to support Pakistan in not only fighting militancy but also for revival of its economy and overcoming challenges faced by the democratic government. Frst round of PAK-UK strategic dialogue was fruitful: Gilani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the first round of strategic dialogue between Pakistan and United Kingdom was very fruitful and expressed confidence that the second round would be equally beneficial in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The high level interaction, he added, greatly helps in opening up avenues for improving relations. The Prime Minister further stated that he was looking forward to Prime Minister David Camerons visit to Pakistan in the second round of strategic dialogue between the two countries.The Prime Minister expressed these views during the meeting with Baroness Saeeda Warsi, Chairperson of the Conservative Party of United Kingdom here at the PM House on Monday evening.The Prime Minister thanked the British government and the people of United Kingdom for their continued support to Pakistan in the European Union for seeking GSP plus facilities for introducing its products in the European markets, for playing a lead role in FODP and for being amongst those few countries which have delivered on their pledges during meeting in the Tokyo Donors Conference. The Prime Minister also thanked the British government for its commitment under which Pakistans education sector would be supported over the period of five years.He stated that education was one of the top priorities of his government in addressing the root causes of terrorism. He hoped that the Education Task Force of the two countries would expedite the projects in primary and secondary education by making Islamabad the role model and also focusing on Southern Punjab.Saeeda Warsi expressed her gratitude on the very warm welcome and hospitality extended to her and her delegation during their visit to Pakistan. She assured the Prime Minister that the new government in the United Kingdom wishes to have honest and genuine dialogue with Pakistan as it attaches very high priority to foster ever closer ties with Islamabad. She reaffirmed the British governments support to Pakistan bilaterally as well as at multilateral fora at this critical juncture of war against terror.She said tha United Kingdom nonetheless would continue using its influence in the European Union, with the FODP and the donor countries for Pakistans increased exports, creation of higher job opportunities and accelerated development activity in the country.Baroness Warsi thanked the Prime Minister for his invitation to Prime Minister Cameron and assured him that the visit will take place in the near future.
