Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan hosted, the visiting US Deputy Secretary of State, John D Negroponte, a working luncheon at the Foreign Office today. The discussions focused on bilateral matters and regional issues.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance they attached to a broad-based and long-term relationship between Pakistan and the United States. It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the strategic dialogue in Islamabad later this year. It was further agreed that the strategic dialogue would be led by the Deputy Secretary of State on the US side.
The Pakistan side will be led by the Foreign Secretary. The dialogue was established within the framework of the strategic partnership affirmed during President Bush's visit to Pakistan in March 2006. Its inaugural session was held in Washington in April 2006.
The Foreign Secretary informed Negrophonte about the status of co-operation in the areas of energy, economy, education, and science and technology identified as part of the dialogue. The Foreign Secretary emphasised that the two sides may identify concrete projects that could be finalised before the next round of the dialogue. The two sides agreed that the dialogue process should be productive and result-oriented.
As regards the establishment of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs), the US side indicated that draft legislation would be submitted for congressional approval shortly.
There was also discussion relating to the draft Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). The Foreign Secretary apprised the Deputy Secretary of Pakistan's perspective on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
On the regional plan, the Foreign Secretary provided a briefing on the Pakistan-India composite dialogue and the peace process in particular efforts to address the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He emphasised that beyond confidence-building there was a need for Pakistan and India to resolve outstanding disputes in the interest of durable peace in the region.
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