WASHINGTON: President Asif Ali Zardari arrived here on Thursday evening for a visit to the US capital during which he will discuss wide-ranging Pakistan-US cooperation with President Barack Obama and attend a memorial service for Richard Holbrooke, the special envoy, who passed away in December last year.
The White House announced earlier in the day that President Barack Obama will welcome President Zardari Friday and discuss US-Pakistan cooperation in wide-ranging areas under the strategic partnership.
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Thursday that the two leaders will discuss issues ranging from economic reform, democracy to counterterrorism efforts.
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Secretary Defense Robert Gates will also attend the White House talks, diplomatic sources said.
The Oval office meeting between the Pakistani and US president takes place just two days after Vice President Joe Biden met with President Zardari and other top leaders in Islamabad on Wednesday, assuing of Washington's commitment to lon-term relaionship with Pakistan.
According to the White House spokesman, presidents Obama and Zardari "will discuss aspects of the US-Pakistan strategic partnership, including our mutual commitment to economic reform, support for democracy and good governance, and joint efforts to combat terrorism."
Ahead of the visit, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani said the two countries continue to advance bilateral ties on the basis of shared values and interests.
Notwithstanding the political noise that is frequently manifested in parts of media in both countries, Pakistan and the United States are engaged in a very robust strategic partnership aimed at creating stability in South Asia,Haqqani told Washington-based Pakistani journalists.
President Zardari will also meet co-chair of Congressional Pakistan caucus working on the Capitol Hill to promote bilateral relations.
In the afternoon, President Zardari will attend a memorial service for Richard Holbrooke, who served as US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan until his death in Decmeber 2010.
President Obama will also attend the memorial to pay tribute to the services rendered by Holbrooke.
On arrival at the Andrews airbase Thursday evening, senior State Department officials and Pakistani embassy diplomats welcomed President Zardari.
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