Pak-US agree to form five working groups
The two leaders emphasized that both sides should work together on a range of options.
(Web Desk) - Pakistan and the United States have agreed to resume their strategic dialogue with focus on five priority areas for enhancing mutual cooperation in various fields.
This has been stated in a joint communique issued at the end of official visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Washington during which he held wide ranging talks with President Obama and other US leaders.
Five working groups will look into the priorities‚ which include Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism‚ Economics and Finance‚ Energy‚ Security‚ Strategic Stability and Non-Proliferation and the Defense Consultations.
The two leaders underscored the importance of further reinforcing the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship by promoting people-to-people contacts‚ including parliamentary exchanges.
Reaffirming the strong relationship between the two countries‚ they said our enduring partnership is based on principles of respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Obama said a peaceful‚ prosperous and democratic Pakistan is an essential US partner in advancing its shared goal of peace‚ security and socio-economic development in South Asia.
The two leaders emphasized that both sides should work together on a range of options to enable Pakistan to overcome its energy deficiencies.
President Obama reiterated US support to strengthen Pakistan's economy and increase agricultural productivity.
The two leaders welcomed progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline project‚ and tasked the "Energy Working Group" to explore possibility of further US support for the Central Asia-South Asia electricity line‚ CASA-1000‚ in close collaboration with the World Bank.
Both the leaders held one on one meeting for twenty minutes‚ which followed by delegation level talks for about two hours. Both sides also agreed to adopt a common strategy to root out terrorism.
The Prime Minister told media after the meeting that both sides discussed all issues including economy‚ energy‚ education‚ extremism‚ terrorism‚ Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan and India and Kashmir issue.
He said the issues of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and Dr. Shakeel Afridi also discussed.
Nawaz Sharif described the meeting as positive. He said the issue of drone attacks was also raised in the meeting and it was stressed that these attacks undermine the sovereignty of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said the American President was informed about vast opportunities of investment in Pakistan especially in energy sector and Pakistan's desire to have greater market access to the United States for its products to improve its economy.
He the United States reiterated to play its role in overcoming energy crises in Pakistan and improving its economy.
He said President Obama was told that Islamabad wants to promote good relations with both India and Afghanistan for peace in the region.
However‚ the resolution of Kashmir issue is vital for peace in the region and he urged Washington to play its role for resolution of this long standing issue.
The Prime Minister said‚ he told the US President that a planned operation has been launched to bring peace in Karachi as peace in that city is vital for overall progress of the country.
President Obama during the meeting said that his country fully respects the sovereignty of Pakistan and will continue cooperation to overcome challenges being faced by Pakistan.
He said Washington considers Pakistan an important strategic partner and will work with it to overcome challenges.
President Obama said a stable Afghanistan is vital for both the United States and Pakistan and hoped that post war Afghanistan will be more beneficial to Islamabad.
President Obama said both sides discussed issues of Pakistani economy and ways to overcome its challenges. He said the US intends long term support to Pakistan for its development.
He said the United States wants to ease the decades-long tension between Pakistan and India over the issue of Kashmir.
Meanwhile‚ talking to Pakistani newsmen after his meeting with President Barack‚ the Prime Minister said Pakistan would attract foreign investment with the improvement of law and order situation.
The Prime Minister said the process of dialogue with Tehreek-e-Taliban had been started in line with the decision of the All Parties Conference (APC).
