US Secretary of State, Collin Powell has greeted Shaukat Aziz on assuming office of the Prime Minister and said that the United States was firmly committed to an increasingly close relationship with Pakistan.
"I am confident that with you as Prime Minister our relationship will continue to grow," he said in a message sent to the Prime Minister.
Powell said Prime Minister Aziz brings personal experience to the position and added that he was impressed with the economic reforms Aziz instituted as the finance minister -
"Now you have a greater portfolio, to which you will bring a personal understanding of the threat of terrorism to world stability," the US Secretary said. Powell recalled that Pakistan responded unhesitatingly, when the United States called for help.
"We thank the people and government of Pakistan for their support, and look forward to working closely with you on our shared goals," he added.
In his message to the Prime Minister, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said he was fully confident that Shaukat Aziz would be an excellent exponent of President Pervez Musharraf's goal of an enlightened moderate Pakistan.
"The United States is committed to an increasingly close relationship with Pakistan. Your assumption of the Prime Minister's portfolio will do a great deal to increase the depth and scope of our improving relationship," he added.
Armitage said, "I cannot express well enough the deep relief felt at your escape from the recent assassination attempt that enables me to congratulate you now.
The Deputy Secretary thanked the people and government of Pakistan for their support in the war on terror and said he looked forward to working closely with the Prime Minister on issues of mutual concern.
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