Pak-US agree to revive strategic dialogue
It is the first visit by a US secretary of state to Pakistan since October 2011.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - United States and Pakistan have agreed to resume strategic dialogue to further deepen their ties in various fields.
This was announced by Advisor on National Security Sartaj Aziz and the US Secretary of State John Kerry while addressing joint news conference in Islamabad today (Thursday) after a series of meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other senior leadership.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan wants to enhance trade and investment relations with the United States besides seeking its cooperation in promotion of education. He hoped that the resumption of strategic dialogue will lead to expand cooperation in various fields.
He said Pakistan wants greater market access to the United States with a focus to increase trade volume up to eleven billion dollars. He said Pakistan wants more US direct foreign investment to revive its economy.
He said Pakistan is working to maintain good relations with all its neighbors including Afghanistan. He said Pakistan will fully assist foreign forces withdrawal from Afghanistan next year besides supporting Afghan-led reconciliation process to bring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan has asked the United States to change its policy on drone attacks which are not only in violaiton of its sovereignty but also have been proved as counter-productive.
John Kerry in his remarks said his country wants long-term and strong relationship with Pakistan on level.
He said both the countries witness some differences in past few years in their relaitons but hope resumption of strategic dialogue will help bridge the gap.
He said the United States fully respects Pakistan s sovereignty and wants deep-rooted relaitons with it on the basis of mutual respect and interest.
Kerry, who is well respected in Pakistan, is visiting for the first time as secretary of state. He is the most senior US visitor since Nawaz Sharif won a resounding election victory in May.
John Kerry termed his talks Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif as beneficial. He also invited the prime minister to visit the United States to hold talks with President Barack Obama.
On the other hand, Nawaz Sharif described Kerry as a "wonderful friend".
"I am very happy that he is the secretary of state of the United States of America today and I hope to have very good discussions and talks with him," the prime minister said.
High-level talks between the two countries stalled in 2011 after U.S. airstrikes on a Pakistani post on the Afghan border accidentally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
The resumption of the so-called "strategic dialogue" would indicate that the relationship between the two countries has improved since that low point.
US officials say they are hopeful that the onset of a more stable government under Sharif, with a clear majority, offers a new opportunity to rework relations along realistic objectives.
Since winning the May election, Sharif has said he wants to strengthen Pakistan s relations with Washington, but the United States must take seriously concerns about drone strikes.
