Strategic dialogue with UK to be reviewed during Nawaz’s visit

Sartaj Aziz and British Foreign Secretary William Hague discussed the enhanced strategic dialogue, Nawaz's visit.

ISLAMABAD: The whole spectrum of the enhanced strategic dialogue will be reviewed when prime minister Nawaz Sharif visits UK in April.

A joint statement released following a meeting between national security and foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz and British Foreign Secretary William Hague in London on Friday read that both countries wished to bolster strategic relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

They reviewed progress on bilateral commitments and discussed future plans to develop a deeper dialogue between the two countries, strengthening friendship and promoting mutual interests.

The officials discussed priority areas of the bilateral relationship including the renewing commitment to increase bilateral trade to £3b by 2015; promoting investments; enhancing Pakistan’s EU trade access; UK’s commitment to stand alongside Pakistan to tackle militancy, terrorism and extremism while acknowledging the huge sacrifices the Pakistani nation has made.

The statement noted the positive contribution made by the British-Pakistani community to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Long-term commitment

After the meeting, Hague said that “Pakistan and the UK share longstanding ties.”

He appreciated the opportunity to discuss plans to reframe the ESD into a deeper and more focused agreement between the two countries.

“This dialogue represents a continuing, long-term commitment by both countries to work together to create the conditions necessary for greater security and prosperity.”

Aziz emphasised the “importance of greater international recognition of Pakistan’s security concerns. “

“We agreed to intensify efforts to achieve meaningful and mutually beneficial progress in a holistic manner under the framework of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue.

The Enhanced Strategic Dialogue was signed in 2011 and sets out the UK and Pakistan’s strategic partnership in five areas: trade and business relations; financial, macro-economic stabilisation and development cooperation; education and health; consultations on defence and security; and cultural cooperation, according to the joint statement released by the foreign office.