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99302
Mon, 01/11/2010 - 14:47
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Zardari, Miliband discuss fight against militancy, trade
Islamabad, Jan 11, IRNA - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari met with British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and stressed the need to further strengthen their partnership in trade, investment and promoting peace and security in the region and the world.
Zardari made these remarks during his meeting with the British foreign secretary at Bilwal House in Karachi.
Matters relating to the forthcoming London Conference on Afghanistan, bilateral issues and regional issues, the ongoing fight against militancy and the second Pak-EU Summit also figured in the meeting.
President Asif Ali Zardari said that any initiative on Afghanistan should ensure Afghan ownership of the process as well as territorial integrity of the country, national reconciliation and peace and stability and that its soil was not used against any of its neighbors.
In the bilateral issues President Zardari also underlined the need for reducing the time span for the processing of Pakistani visa applications particularly that of students and businessmen as well as addressing the perception of discrimination in the issuance of British visas.
The president said that after building national consensus on the war against militancy, the democratic government had moved forward and achieved significant successes during the few past months.
The president said that not only the security and law enforcing agencies had made great sacrifices but ordinary people and citizens had also made huge sacrifices and they deserved to be given peace dividend by way of international support in their rehabilitation and resettlement.
"Our people need greater understanding and support of the international community to overcome the scars and wounds of war against militancy," he said.
The president appreciated the UK’s £665 million development assistance committed for 2009-2013 and a additional £50 million assistance to support Pakistan’s development plans.
David Miliband appreciated the efforts of the Government and its security forces against militancy and reiterated British support to the democratic government in Pakistan in fighting militancy. He said that Britain would continue to support Pakistan in fighting militancy.
The British foreign secretary also briefed the president about the forthcoming Conference in London on Afghanistan.
Both leaders also discussed the upcoming Afghan conference which is set to take place in London./end
Zardari made these remarks during his meeting with the British foreign secretary at Bilwal House in Karachi.
Matters relating to the forthcoming London Conference on Afghanistan, bilateral issues and regional issues, the ongoing fight against militancy and the second Pak-EU Summit also figured in the meeting.
President Asif Ali Zardari said that any initiative on Afghanistan should ensure Afghan ownership of the process as well as territorial integrity of the country, national reconciliation and peace and stability and that its soil was not used against any of its neighbors.
In the bilateral issues President Zardari also underlined the need for reducing the time span for the processing of Pakistani visa applications particularly that of students and businessmen as well as addressing the perception of discrimination in the issuance of British visas.
The president said that after building national consensus on the war against militancy, the democratic government had moved forward and achieved significant successes during the few past months.
The president said that not only the security and law enforcing agencies had made great sacrifices but ordinary people and citizens had also made huge sacrifices and they deserved to be given peace dividend by way of international support in their rehabilitation and resettlement.
"Our people need greater understanding and support of the international community to overcome the scars and wounds of war against militancy," he said.
The president appreciated the UK’s £665 million development assistance committed for 2009-2013 and a additional £50 million assistance to support Pakistan’s development plans.
David Miliband appreciated the efforts of the Government and its security forces against militancy and reiterated British support to the democratic government in Pakistan in fighting militancy. He said that Britain would continue to support Pakistan in fighting militancy.
The British foreign secretary also briefed the president about the forthcoming Conference in London on Afghanistan.
Both leaders also discussed the upcoming Afghan conference which is set to take place in London./end
