Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri leaves Sunday to discuss with his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice co-operation in counter-terrorism, situation in Afghanistan, composite dialogue with India, the Middle East peace process and Iraq.
A hectic schedule awaits Kasuri who will also meet Secretary of Defence Robert Gates, National Security Adviser Stephen Headley and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez. He will review co-operation in various fields with the US secretaries and senior government officials, with a view to further deepening co-operation in areas of common interest, a Foreign Office statement said.
The foreign minister in his talks cover the whole gamut of bilateral relations including funding for Fata Sustainable Development Plan and the establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs).
Foreign Minister Kasuri will also have meetings with leading senators and members of the House of Representatives of both parties including Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi and Pakistan Congressional Caucus on the Capitol Hill.
He is expected to interface with leading representatives of the American media besides meeting the Pakistani media based in Washington. Kasuri will address major think-tanks during his visit to USA and will have a meeting with Pakistan - US Business Council. He will also be meeting with members of Pakistani Community in Washington and Chicago.
The visit provides a useful opportunity to review the progress made in the US-Pakistan strategic partnership which was affirmed during President Bush's visit to Islamabad in March 2006.-PR
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