Updated on
Summary
William Hague, Britains new Foreign Secretary, on Friday pledged strong support for anti-terrorism ally Pakistan as he discussed international security and stability efforts in Afghanistan with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.We discussed the closely related situation in Pakistan where we and the United States share common goals and indeed we have started discussing ways to enhance and strengthen our cooperation and support that we give to Pakistan, he told newsmen standing next to Secretary Clinton at the State Department. Hague is visiting Washington days after Conservative Partys David Cameron assumed charge as Britains new prime minister. The British foreign secretary said the new coalition government assigns a top priority to Afghanistan in foreign relations. The two diplomats discussed efforts to achieve the goals of long-term stability and security in Afghanistan, with Secretary Clinton saying the US and the UK both support the NATO mission in the conflict-wrecked country. Both Clinton and Hague conceded that Afghanistan, however, was their top priority where the international community led by the US is engaged in war against al Qaeda and the Taliban. The US is deeply appreciative of the British contribution in Afghanistan, Hillary said. On Iran, Clinton said Tehran had repeatedly showed its lack of interest in negotiations. I have told my counterparts in many capitals around the world that I believe that we will not get any serious response out of the Iranians until after the Security Council acts, she added.
