Democracy, rule of law key to Pak-US ties: Blinken tells Bilawal

Foreign Minister Bilawal exchanges views on Russia-Ukraine war and Afghanistan in phone call with secretary of state

ISLAMABAD:

The US on Tuesday said that “democratic principles and respect for the rule of law” were central to the Pak-US relationship and the values would continue to guide this bilateral partnership forward.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said after his telephone call to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that Washington supported a productive, democratic and prosperous partnership with Pakistan.

The United States supports a productive, democratic, and prosperous partnership with Pakistan. Had a good call with @BBhuttoZardari to discuss our support for Pakistan’s economic recovery and our shared regional concerns, including Afghanistan.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 24, 2023

“Had a good call with @BBhuttoZardari to discuss our support for Pakistan’s economic recovery and our shared regional concerns, including Afghanistan,” Blinken wrote on Twitter.

“The United States supports a productive, democratic, and prosperous partnership with Pakistan,” he added.

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A separate tweet by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch also had the same reading. “They noted the positive momentum in Pakistan-US relations and agreed to remain constructively engaged to promote peace, security and development.”

FM @BBhuttoZardari had a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken. They noted the positive momentum in Pakistan 🇵🇰 -U.S. 🇺🇸 relations and agreed to remain constructively engaged to promote peace, security and development. pic.twitter.com/lhZh2fBqxd

— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) July 25, 2023

During the telephone call, initiated by Blinken, both the sides expressed satisfaction with the current positive momentum in the bilateral ties, the Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement, issued separately.

The foreign minister underlined the priority attached to the economic and trade relations and Pakistan’s particular interest in advancing cooperation on climate change and green energy, it said.

Thanking the US for its support, the foreign minister said that the Standby Arrangement between Pakistan and the IMF [International Monetary Fund] would provide impetus to Pakistan’s economic and development imperatives,” it added.

The foreign minister told the US secretary of state that Pakistan was committed to bringing structural reforms in its economy to make it more competitive and attractive for business and foreign investment.

In Washington, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the top US diplomat stressed that democratic principles and respect for the rule of law were central to that relationship.

Miller added that Secretary Blinken underscored Washington’s “steadfast commitment to the people of Pakistan, highlighting that the “economic success of Pakistan remains a top priority” for the United States”.

The State Department readout further said that Secretary Blinken noted that the United States would continue to engage with Pakistan through technical and development initiatives and through their robust trade and investment ties.

Blinken also welcomed the IMF approval of a programme to support Pakistan, and encouraged continued reforms to promote economic recovery and prosperity, the statement added.

The secretary noted the Pakistani people have suffered tremendously from terrorist attacks and affirmed the United States’ commitment to continued partnership with Pakistan on counterterrorism.

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They also discussed the destabilising effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine as well as the United States and Pakistan’s shared interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office statement said that Bilawal underscored that Pakistan valued its longstanding and broad-based relationship with the US and wished to further deepen the partnership.

The two foreign ministers also discussed the regional security situation, including the threat from terrorism, and reaffirmed their desire to continue close cooperation for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Bilawal underscored the importance of the Black Sea Grain Initiative especially from the perspective of developing countries and concerns regarding food security and inflation. He stressed the need for continued concerted efforts with a view to reviving the deal at the earliest,” the Foreign Office statement added.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)