Pakistan and New Zealand to identify economic synergies

Pakistan and New Zealand on Friday agreed to identify economic synergies for their mutual benefit as President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Helen Clark declared to build a closer relationship through co-operation in the areas of agriculture, education and primary healthcare.
Both the leaders held wide-ranging talks at the Government House. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, including fight against terrorism, Pakistan-India peace process and the UN Security Council (UNSC) reforms.
Prime Minister Clark expressed profound appreciation for Pakistan's crucial role in the fight against terrorism under President Musharraf.
"Indeed, Pakistan's role in the fight against terror has been absolutely critical as it has fought al Qaeda operatives who had taken refuge in the tribal regions bordering Afghanistan," she told a press conference at the conclusion of two-hour talks between the two sides.
She said her country would extend support to Pakistan in acquiring sophisticated expertise in dairy and livestock farming.
"This visit of President Musharraf is a major step towards enhancing bilateral ties, and I am confident that we shall develop co-operative relationship in areas of mutual interest."
President Musharraf on the occasion reiterated Islamabad's opposition to creation of more centres of privilege at the UN Security Council saying it violates the basic principle of sovereign equality of nations.
"We are against any increase in the permanent category of the Security Council and believe that the United Nations should be made more democratic and representative," he said.
The New Zealand had joined a number of countries in voicing its 'No' to a veto right for any new members of the Security Council as the world's diplomats approached a crunch debate on the issue at the United Nations in New York. However, Clark said the UN Security Council needs to be reformed in view of changed global scenario and challenges.
Musharraf, replying to a question, said Pakistan's decisions are taken keeping in view the country's national interests. Pakistan, he said, does not take decisions under any external influence but purely in its own interests.
Helen Clark told newsmen that she was extremely satisfied with President Musharraf's efforts and commitment to human rights and women rights in Pakistan. In response to a question on Pakistan-India peace process, she said, the two countries must seize the fleeting moment for peace in South Asia.
President Musharraf stated that both Pakistani and Indian leadership and the people in both countries desire peace and said he saw light at the end of tunnel.
President Musharraf said that Pakistan would sponsor its students seeking higher education in New Zealand, while the host prime minister said Wellington would look into ways and means to accommodate Pakistani students.
At the talks, President Musharraf briefed Clark about Pakistan's positive economic scenario and investment opportunities for foreign investors. He particularly pointed out Pakistan's large agrarian sector and said the South Asian country could benefit greatly from New Zealand's success in modernising its agriculture through gaining expertise in dairy farming, livestock farming, food and fruit-processing.
He called for increasing the volume of bilateral trade and said the New Zealanders can enter into joint ventures and explore opportunities of investment in Pakistan, which has a rapidly growing economy and is strategically located to serve as a hub of regional trade.
The two-way trade has been traditionally in Pakistan's favour with textiles and cotton yarn being the leading export products. Pakistan's exports to New Zealand amounted to $36.083 million in 2003-04, while imports from New Zealand stood at $11.758 million made up mainly of wool, tallow, hides and skins.
On Pakistan's role in the fight against terror, the president said Pakistan has contributed more to the counter-terror efforts than any other country of the world, having captured over 700 operatives and broke the back of al Qaeda in the tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.
The president also briefed Clark about Islamabad's efforts for establishment of peace and stability in the region. Apart from helping Afghanistan in gaining stability, Pakistan has also taken part in its reconstruction.
Islamabad, he said, is engaged in a process of dialogue and confidence-building measures with India and expressed the hope that through flexibility and sincerity both the countries would be able to resolve the lingering Kashmir dispute.
"We will have to find a middle way and show flexibility and sincerity for finding an amicable solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people," he told newsmen.
Welcoming President Musharraf, Clark said her country looks forward to forging close ties with Pakistan.
She said New Zealand would look into the prospects of increasing trade and economic ties with Pakistan to the mutual benefit of both the countries.
Meanwhile, addressing a state banquet on Friday Helen Clark hosted in honour of the visiting Pakistani leader, she appreciated Islamabad's crucial efforts for restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan and said Pakistan and New Zealand share a common commitment to stability, security and reconstruction in the war-hit Western neighbour of Pakistan.
She supported President Musharraf's efforts for establishment of peace in South Asia, expressing the hope that the two countries would meet success in their endeavours for rapprochement.
Conforming to President Musharraf's call for addressing root causes of extremism, she said Wellington would contribute to addressing underlying causes of the menace. Clark termed President Musharraf's visit to New Zealand as historic in advancing the relationship between the two Commonwealth members and said her country would co-operate with Pakistan in the fields of agriculture, education and basic healthcare.
Opposition Leader Don Brash, in his remarks said the two countries share a host of commonalties and saw a great deal of scope for strengthening trade and economic co-operation. "We are against terrorism and we love cricket but certainly there is tremendous scope for developing links in other areas," he said supporting Prime Minister Clark's emphasis on forging productive relationship between the two nations.