British Foreign Secretary visits Pakistan to reaffirm continued cooperation 

 

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband visited Pakistan on 20-21 April 2008 to ensure continuation of good relationship between the two countries and reassure cooperation in a wide range of matters. Following are details of the visit:

 

 

Miliband assures Prime Minister Gilani of Britain’s continued support to Pakistan

 

British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth David Miliband on 21 April said Britain is a strong partner of Pakistan and would continue to support it in confronting its challenges including extremism and terrorism. Miliband, who called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said terrorism was not only a challenge for Pakistan but had become a global concern.

 

He said Pakistan faced a lot of difficulties due to its frontline role in war against terror and was still passing through a difficult phase.

 

Miliband appreciated the government’s new strategy to address the issue of terrorism through dialogue. He said British government had agreed on the need to incorporate political and economic means besides security measures to confront the challenges of terrorism in Afghanistan.

 

Miliband expressed the desire to further enhance bilateral relations with Pakistan in all fields including economic and trade. Britain would also encourage the European Union to strengthen its cooperation with Pakistan including trade benefits.    

 

He also informed the Prime Minister Gilani that Britain would greatly welcome Pakistan back in the Commonwealth.

 

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan and Britain enjoy strong friendly relations which would open up new avenues in all spheres of life.

 

Gilani referred to numerous challenges confronted by the new democratic government and expressed his strong commitment to overcome these problems by implementing policies supported by the people.

 

He said that terrorism and extremism is a global phenomenon, and Pakistan being a frontline state has sacrificed a lot including the assassination of national leader Benazir Bhutto.

 

The Prime Minister said in order to curb the menace of terrorism and extremism, the world community needed to address its root causes which stem from socio-economic disparity and unresolved political disputes.

 

He said the new democratic government would adopt a multi-pronged strategy to fight terrorism as the previous strategy had failed to produce the desired results. He said the new strategy would incorporate both long term and short term methods including political dialogue, socio-economic development and security measures in the areas bordering Afghanistan to address the issue effectively.

 

The Prime Minister said he had already announced initiation of a dialogue with those who abandoned violence and laid down their arms. Gilani said the government would improve the socio-economic conditions and extend democratic rights to the people of FATA.

 

The Prime Minister said one of the foremost challenge before the government was to improve law and order situation in the country as it directly relates with economic development. Political stability and security are essential components of economic stability, he added.

 

Referring to the regional situation, the Prime Minister said Pakistan wants friendly relations with all its neighbours including Afghanistan. He also mentioned that the meeting of small jirga would be held soon which would hopefully make headway for lasting peace in the area.

 

The Prime Minister said the government intends to ensure supremacy of the parliament, a free and vibrant media, independent judiciary and autonomous Election Commission in order to make these institutions strong and effective.

 

He said the 1973 constitution made by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was accepted by all the sections of society and can keep the federation intact as it was agreed upon by all the political parties.

 

Regarding Pakistan’s re-entry into the fold of Commonwealth, the Prime Minister said Pakistan would continue to play its role at the forum for the promotion of democracy as well as multilateral relations with the member states.

 

 

 

Miliband calls on the President

 

During the visit Miliband called on President Pervez Musharraf and congratulated him on the transition to democracy in Pakistan. The President briefed the British Foreign Secretary on political developments since the elections which had been held in a peaceful and fair manner and which had thrown up a democratic dispensation in accordance with the wishes of the Pakistani people.

 

Responding to a query by the British Foreign Secretary, the President stated that the Government of Pakistan would continue to confront extremism and terrorism in all its forms through a broad-based approach combining military, political and economic strategies. Secretary Miliband praised Pakistan's pivotal role in the fight against extremism and terrorism and expressed full support for Pakistan's broad strategy to confront this menace.

 

Pakistan's ties with Afghanistan also came under review including the Jirga process and the improved atmosphere in relations between the two neighbours.

 

 

 

British Foreign Secretary meets the new Foreign Minister of Pakistan

 

Talking to the media following his meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that his country fully supports Pakistan’s re-entry into the Commonwealth, besides adopting multi-pronged comprehensive strategy to deal with the menace of terrorism. The British Foreign Secretary also praised Pakistan’s democratic transition and promised to push for Pakistan’s reinstatement to the Commonwealth. Miliband said democratic transition that Pakistan’s people have undergone over the last few months has been appreciated by the world.

 

David Miliband also reiterated support for the new civilian government’s plans to negotiate with militants who renounce violence.

 

Miliband said: “I want Britain to be a leading voice calling for Pakistan’s re-entry into the Commonwealth.”  He praised the courage of Pakistan’s new political leadership.

 

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in his statement said that political engagements between the two countries would help further improving understanding on various issues and bring stability in the region.   

 

Qureshi said there should be reconciliation with those who support peace and want to remain in the limits of law. He said reconciliation does not mean to create space for those who are engaged in violence.

 

Miliband said the UK also supports Pak-India dialogue and hoped the dialogue process would lead to resolution of all outstanding issues including Kashmir.

 

He said second visit of the Foreign Secretary in eight months is reflective of Britain’s close developing ties and UK’s close interest in regional stability and Pakistan’s socio-economic development. 

 

Miliband said both the countries have common perceptions on various regional and international issues and he has held meaningful dialogue with his British counterpart during the visit.

 

The Foreign Minister said both the countries agreed to have multi-dimension approach to solve the problem of terrorism and they feel that there is growing realization in the world to resolve the issue through dialogue.

 

 

Courtesy: APP