Prime
Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and British Deputy Prime Minister Nick
Clegg on Tuesday called for a solution for peace in Afghanistan,
generated from within, with the combined support of the United States,
the United Kingdom and Pakistan. The
British Deputy Prime Minister termed Pakistan’s role as “most
important” in ensuring peace in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the
US and NATO forces. Addressing
a joint press conference at the Lancaster House after the two leaders
held a luncheon meeting, Gilani and Clegg agreed that Afghanistan had
the capacity to deal with the situation at its own, but insisted that
support from the US, UK and Pakistan was important for its future.
Gilani said Pakistan and Afghanistan had realized that both the countries suffered a lot in the fight against terrorism.
“If it has to be a solution [for Afghanistan], then any process that leads to peace in this country would be supported by Pakistan,” he said, asserting that a stable Afghanistan, with non-interference in its internal affairs, was important for regional and global peace.
He added that the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan had affected Pakistan in several adverse ways. The international community was well aware of the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan during the over last three decades, he said.
He said Pakistan favoured engaging with the Afghan leadership and committed to process that was Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
Prime Minister Gilani termed the talks with the British Deputy Prime Minister as “very good”, which he said, provided an opportunity to review the state of Pak-UK relations.
He reiterated the mutual resolve to take concrete steps to diversify and deepen bilateral relations in accordance with the enhanced strategic dialogue which was launched during Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to Pakistan in April this year.
He mentioned that the discussion also focused over expanding economic cooperation with over 100 British companies doing lucrative business in Pakistan. He said Pakistan was offering enormous opportunities for trade and investment to encourage other British companies to come to Pakistan and create a win-win situation.
Gilani said Pakistan appreciated the contributions being made by British-Pakistanis in the progress of British society as well as furthering the Pak-UK relations.
He hoped that the important Pak-UK relationship would continue to strengthen in the months and years ahead for mutual benefit.
Earlier in the meeting, the two sides discussed progress on strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the United Kingdom besides regional situation, prospects of expanding Pak-UK trade and business.
The UK’s support for Pakistan’s access to European markets and the positive contribution of Pakistani community towards economy, politics and cultural diversity of the UK also came under discussion.
Gilani appreciated the UK’s support towards rehabilitation and reconstruction in the aftermath of last year’s floods in Pakistan.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress in bilateral relations during the period of coalition government in Britain.
Deputy Prime Minister Clegg appreciated the positive contribution made by the Pakistani community towards the British economy, politics and society.
The two leaders welcomed the on-going collaboration between the UK and Pakistani governments to tackle violent extremism and radicalization and agreed to enhance cooperation in support of a comprehensive approach by the Government of Pakistan.
Both the leaders had a consensual view that terrorism was the enemy of both Pakistan and Britain and that the two countries should continue to work together to fight the menace.
They also discussed enhancement of strategic summit level dialogue and increase in British development assistance to Pakistan particularly recent 650 million pounds announcement for primary education by Prime Minister Cameron during his visit to Pakistan which indicated comprehensive up-gradation of cooperation in diverse fields.
Prime Minister Gilani appreciated Britain’s support for Pakistan’s access to European markets and Liberal Democrat Party’s support towards solution of the Kashmir issue.
They agreed that both the countries would continue to work together for fighting militancy and in promoting peace in the region.
Clegg assured that his country would continue to extend support to Pakistan for greater market access within the context of overall package from EU and GSP-Plus (Generalized System of Preferences-Plus) as well.
He also assured that the United Kingdom would also support Pakistan’s efforts for institutionalization of Pakistan-EU summit mechanism.
On Pak-India relations, Prime Minister Gilani said that Pakistan was endeavouring for regional peace and stability and that the dialogue process had been started with all the neighbouring countries, including India. APP
“If it has to be a solution [for Afghanistan], then any process that leads to peace in this country would be supported by Pakistan,” he said, asserting that a stable Afghanistan, with non-interference in its internal affairs, was important for regional and global peace.
He added that the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan had affected Pakistan in several adverse ways. The international community was well aware of the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan during the over last three decades, he said.
He said Pakistan favoured engaging with the Afghan leadership and committed to process that was Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.
Prime Minister Gilani termed the talks with the British Deputy Prime Minister as “very good”, which he said, provided an opportunity to review the state of Pak-UK relations.
He reiterated the mutual resolve to take concrete steps to diversify and deepen bilateral relations in accordance with the enhanced strategic dialogue which was launched during Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to Pakistan in April this year.
He mentioned that the discussion also focused over expanding economic cooperation with over 100 British companies doing lucrative business in Pakistan. He said Pakistan was offering enormous opportunities for trade and investment to encourage other British companies to come to Pakistan and create a win-win situation.
Gilani said Pakistan appreciated the contributions being made by British-Pakistanis in the progress of British society as well as furthering the Pak-UK relations.
He hoped that the important Pak-UK relationship would continue to strengthen in the months and years ahead for mutual benefit.
Earlier in the meeting, the two sides discussed progress on strategic dialogue between Pakistan and the United Kingdom besides regional situation, prospects of expanding Pak-UK trade and business.
The UK’s support for Pakistan’s access to European markets and the positive contribution of Pakistani community towards economy, politics and cultural diversity of the UK also came under discussion.
Gilani appreciated the UK’s support towards rehabilitation and reconstruction in the aftermath of last year’s floods in Pakistan.
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the progress in bilateral relations during the period of coalition government in Britain.
Deputy Prime Minister Clegg appreciated the positive contribution made by the Pakistani community towards the British economy, politics and society.
The two leaders welcomed the on-going collaboration between the UK and Pakistani governments to tackle violent extremism and radicalization and agreed to enhance cooperation in support of a comprehensive approach by the Government of Pakistan.
Both the leaders had a consensual view that terrorism was the enemy of both Pakistan and Britain and that the two countries should continue to work together to fight the menace.
They also discussed enhancement of strategic summit level dialogue and increase in British development assistance to Pakistan particularly recent 650 million pounds announcement for primary education by Prime Minister Cameron during his visit to Pakistan which indicated comprehensive up-gradation of cooperation in diverse fields.
Prime Minister Gilani appreciated Britain’s support for Pakistan’s access to European markets and Liberal Democrat Party’s support towards solution of the Kashmir issue.
They agreed that both the countries would continue to work together for fighting militancy and in promoting peace in the region.
Clegg assured that his country would continue to extend support to Pakistan for greater market access within the context of overall package from EU and GSP-Plus (Generalized System of Preferences-Plus) as well.
He also assured that the United Kingdom would also support Pakistan’s efforts for institutionalization of Pakistan-EU summit mechanism.
On Pak-India relations, Prime Minister Gilani said that Pakistan was endeavouring for regional peace and stability and that the dialogue process had been started with all the neighbouring countries, including India. APP
