Diplomatic cooperation: Nawaz, Cameron forge partnership of equals

The two leaders set £3billion target for bilateral trade by 2015.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his visiting British counterpart David Cameron agreed on Sunday to cooperate as equals towards greater progress and prosperity of Pakistan and Britain.

The two leaders also agreed to find new ways to make the close and cooperative friendship beneficial for the people in both countries.

Cameron expressed his confidence in the future of Pakistan, congratulating its people and institutions on the steps they have taken towards a strong, stable democracy.

Building on the existing warm friendship and confidence in Pakistan’s economic future, the prime ministers focused on trade, pledging a new target of increasing bilateral trade to £3billion by 2015, up from their previous commitment of £2.5billion.

Prime Minister Nawaz apprised Cameron about his ambitious plans to enhance growth, create jobs and reduce poverty to create a brighter future for the people of Pakistan.

Under Enhanced Strategic Dialogue the two governments will continue regular dialogue on economic reforms. “Pakistan considers Britain as its close friend and genuine development partner,” Nawaz said, adding that he hoped the UK would continue to advocate Pakistan’s cause in the European Union (EU) market.

“The United Kingdom has a strong voice in the EU. We are especially grateful to Prime Minister Cameron for his personal efforts to secure trade concessions for Pakistan in the EU,” he said.

He said the lead taken by the UK in campaigning for Autonomous Trade Preferences (ATPs) for Pakistan is invaluable and added that he has shared with Prime Minister Cameron his desire to be included in the GSP Plus Scheme in 2014.

Afghan peace efforts backed

Nawaz assured Cameron on Sunday that Pakistan firmly supports peace efforts in Afghanistan and backs an Afghan-owned, Afghan-led reconciliation process.

As the West pushes for talks with the Taliban ahead of the withdrawal of Nato troops, Nawaz said he hoped that dialogue between the Taliban and the US can bring stability to the region.

“We believe the process should be inclusive, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led,” Nawaz said.



“I have assured Prime Minister Cameron of our resolve to promote the shared objective of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan to which the three million Afghan refugees currently living in Pakistan can return to with honour and dignity,” he added.

Lauding the United Kingdom’s role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, Nawaz voiced hope that the country would continue to work for peace and stability in Afghanistan.

“A stable, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interests just as a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pakistan is in Afghanistan’s interests,” Prime Minister Cameron said.

Counter-terrorism strategies

The British prime minister said the issue of terrorism required “tough and uncompromising” cooperation from both the countries and they should conduct this fight against terrorism together.

Cameron paid tribute to all Pakistanis who have sacrificed their lives as a result to counter the menace.

Prime Minister Nawaz said Pakistan has suffered the most in terms of human and financial losses and is therefore adamant to tackle the peril of extremism.

In the coming months, the adviser to the prime minister on national security and foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, and Secretary of State William Hague will discuss specific measures through the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue which highlights the ‘unbreakable partnership’ between Pakistan and the UK.

As a result, there will be regular in-depth dialogues between ministers of the two countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2013.