Foreign policy based on mutual respect: FO spokesperson

There will be no compromise on national interest, says Foreign Office Spokesperson Abdul Basit.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit said on Thursday that Pakistan will continue to pursue its foreign policy based on mutual respect and there will be no compromise on national interest.

Speaking during his weekly news briefing, Basit said that Pakistan's foreign policy in 2011 was steered by two broad objectives – security and development. He said, “We vigorously pursued these two objectives on bilateral, regional and international framework.”

The spokesman said that Pakistan-US relations have witnessed many ups and downs owing to several incidents, including Raymond Davis, May 2 raid in Abbottabad that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and Nato attack on Pakistani check posts.

Basit said that ties have come to a point where it is necessary to rewrite our terms for bilateral engagement. He said that Pakistan wanted relations with the US to be based on mutual respect, trust and interest.  He said Pakistan was trying to put relations with the US on track that is in-sync with the country's mutual interests.

The spokesperson said the new terms of engagement will be prepared in the light of recommendations given by the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.

Basit said that US investigation reports on Nato attacks were being examined and the relevant authorities would formulate a response soon. He added that there will be no compromise on maintaining the credibility of Pakistan's nuclear developments.

He said that dialogue with India had been resumed and that it was hoped that there will be uninterrupted and result-oriented dialogue, which will lead to resolution of all issues.

Basit said that several proposals were discussed during the recent Pakistan-India working group meeting in Islamabad. He said the meeting provided an opportunity to compare notes and review implementation of the existing agreements.

Answering a question about Iranian nuclear issue, he said Pakistan always supported a state’s right to peaceful use of nuclear technology. He added that Pakistan wanted to complete the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline as quickly as possible.

Reviewing foreign policy achievements during 2011, the spokesman said that relations with China attained new heights and 2011 was celebrated as the year of friendship.  He said there were several high level visits during the year.

He said Pakistan's relations with Europian and G-8 countries also moved forward. He said a five-year Pakistan-EU engagement plan had been finalised, adding that an enhanced Pakistan-US strategic dialogue was launched during the visit of British Prime Minister to Pakistan.

He said Pakistan’s relations with Russia were fast improving after President Asif Ali Zardari made an official visit to Russia where talks with Russian leadership covered new plans of bilateral cooperation.

Basit said that relations with neighbouring countries were of foremost priority. He said “We always work and continue to work for peace and stability in Afghanistan.  Afghanistan is a sovereign county and reconciliation process should be Afghan-led and Afghan-owned.” He added that thousands of Pakistanis were actively contributing in the development of Afghanistan.