Joint statement issued following
the meeting of President Asif Ali Zardari with Prime Minister Gordon Brown
LONDON: The Prime Minister met the newly
elected President Zardari of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 16 September
during his private visit to the United
Kingdom.
The Prime Minister congratulated President Zardari on his
election and welcomed this as a significant step in Pakistan's democratic
transition. They discussed the bilateral relationship, as well as
regional and international issues and agreed to strengthen co-operation in
various fields, including trade, defence, health and education. They both
underlined the value they placed on the contribution being made by the one
million British citizens of Pakistani origin in strengthening friendship between
the two countries.
The Prime Minister and President discussed the challenges
that Pakistan
faces. The Prime Minister commended President Zardari on his speech at
his inauguration and his seven point Roadmap for a Better Future for Pakistan.
The Prime Minister emphasised the UK's
support for the establishment of democracy in Pakistan, including the
strengthening of democratic institutions in the country.
The Prime Minister and President Zardari agreed that the UK and Pakistan had a shared agenda in
tackling violent extremism in both countries. They noted that there was a
particularly acute problem with extremism emanating from the
Afghanistan/Pakistan border region. This had an impact on Pakistan as much as anywhere else, but was also
impacting on UK forces in Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister and President Zardari noted that it was
the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan
who suffered most directly from such extremism. It was for the
Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan
to lead the efforts to combat this extremism, with the support of the
international community. In this context, the Prime Minister welcomed the
early meeting between Presidents Zardari and Karzai and the prospect of
improved practical co-operation between the Governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan
on their mutual vulnerability to violent extremism. The Prime Minister
and President agreed that a stable and strong democracy in Pakistan would play an important
role in promoting peace in the region.
The Prime Minister and President Zardari welcomed the
on-going collaboration between the UK and Pakistani Governments to
tackle violent extremism and radicalisation. They agreed to enhance this
cooperation in support of a comprehensive approach by the Government of
Pakistan.
Prime Minister Brown expressed profound sorrow over the
assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed in a terrorist attack in Rawalpindi late last year
and greatly admired her role in the struggle for democracy, freedom and
emancipation of women through out the world.
September 16, 2008
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