Washington meeting: ‘US committed to peace, prosperity in Pakistan’

White House says will continue cooperation for development.

WASHINGTON:

The White House on Wednesday reaffirmed the US commitment to continue cooperation with Pakistan to help promote economic development, peace and security for the people of the key regional country.

“The United States will continue to work with the government of Pakistan to advance development, promote security, and help create lasting peace and prosperity for all Pakistanis,” said a statement on National Security Advisor Susan E Rice’s White House meeting with Pakistani National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz.

“During the meeting, they reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening the US-Pakistan relationship and advancing shared interests in a stable, secure, and prosperous Pakistan,” the White House press secretary said.

They discussed ways to increase the effectiveness of counterterrorism cooperation, and reiterated the importance of combating extremism and promoting peace and stability throughout the region.

The top American and Pakistani advisers also noted the importance of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan, where the US and Nato forces are moving towards a drawdown in a major security transition to be completed by the end of the current year.

“They also reiterated their support for an Afghan-led peace process and acknowledged the importance of advancing Afghan peace and reconciliation,” the statement added.

“They discussed ways to enhance the US-Pakistan partnership.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2014.