President reiterates call for long term, sustainable relation with US

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated Pakistan’s call for a long term, sustainable and multifaceted relationship with the United States based on principles of sovereign equality, respect and trust.

He was talking to a delegation of US Senators that called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday.
The delegation included Senator Robert P. Casey, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Michael Bennet and Senator Richard Blumenthal. Ambassador Richard Hoagland was also present.
The meeting was attended by Acting Foreign Secretary Alamgir Babar, Interior Secretary Khawaja Siddiq Akber, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar and Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Additional Secretary Foreign Affairs were also present.
The president said that continuity and smooth pace of bilateral equation was essential for taking maximum advantage of the toils of friendship.
Briefing the media presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that matters relating to Pak-US bilateral relations and mutual cooperation, war against terror and the regional situation were discussed in a very candid, frank and constructive manner during the meeting.
Zardari said that recent developments at regional and international level make it necessary for the two countries to work hand in hand for stability of the region, on one hand, and to realize mutually agreed goals, on the other.
He also reiterated his call that the two countries should not let some isolated incidents to affect their equation and to undo the efforts of building a multifaceted and long-term relationship.
The president also called for exercising restraints by both the countries in issuing any statement that could potential impact the relationship. He said that extra care needs to be taken where sensitivities are involve so as to avoid sending negative signals to the people of two countries.
Discussing recent developments, the president appreciated US assistance and cooperation in the issue of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The president said that Pakistan was committed to pursue this struggle till its logical conclusion no matter how many sacrifices we may have to offer.
The president however emphasized upon the need for the international community to support the people and strengthen civilian law enforcing agencies of Pakistan in the fight against militancy.
The president said that Pakistan was a major stakeholder in peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan and we were ready to work with international community for reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan.
The Senators' delegation t appreciated Pakistan’s struggle against militants.

Copyright NNI (News Network International), 2011