Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said that President Bush's visit has given a new depth and dimension to Pakistan-US relationship.
Addressing a news conference after talks between US President George W. Bush and President General Pervez Musharraf here on Saturday afternoon, Kasuri said that these talks have strengthened the foundation for a strategic, strong, stable, broad-based and long-term relationship between the two countries.
"The relationship has expanded much beyond the co-operation in war on terror," he added.
The minister said that Pakistan and the United States have agreed to work together as strategic partners for peace, security and prosperity in the region and across the world.
Kasuri referred to and highlighted various issues that came up in the one on one talks between Musharraf and Bush and agreements reached upon, which are as under:
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS Both countries have established institutional frameworks to broaden and deepen the strategic relationship. Its centrepiece was the launching of a strategic dialogue that would cover the entire range of bilateral, regional and global issues with a view to fortifying our multifaceted co-operation.
The other frameworks include:
-- Launching of High-Level Energy Dialogue.
-- Initiation of Economic Dialogue.
-- Elevation of Joint Committee on Science & Technology.
-- Initiation of High-Level Dialogue on Education.
KASHMIR Kasuri said that before leaving for his visit to South Asia, President Bush in an address to the Asia Society in Washington strongly underlined the need for India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir dispute in a manner acceptable to all sides. The US president reiterated this message in New Delhi, he added.
The foreign minister said that during the press conference Bush again underscored the importance of resolution of all issues between Pakistan and India, including Kashmir. The Joint Statement supported the peace process and underlined the need for "resolution of disputes" for "building a better future in South Asia," he said.
CARICATURES The foreign minister said that President Musharraf raised the issue of blasphemous sketches with President Bush and sensitised him on the feelings in the Muslim world and in Pakistan. Bush showed concern over Muslim sentiments and joint statement underscored the need for avoiding acts that disturb inter-faith harmony, Kasuri added.
DEFENCE RELATIONSHIP Kasuri said that both countries affirmed their resolve to build a robust defence relationship. The Joint Statement underlined US commitment to meet Pakistan's defence needs. The US has reassured its commitment to sell F-16s to Pakistan and both sides have agreed to increase collaboration in the defence sector, including transfer of technology.
TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION The minister said that important decisions have been taken to expand trade and economic links.
RECONSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITY ZONES Kasuri said, "President Bush in the delegation-level talks as well as in press conference mentioned his support for creation of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs), from where products will get duty-free entry into US market.
This is an important step toward gaining enhanced market access in the US. These ROZs would be located in less-developed areas of Pakistan and details are being worked out. This initiative would create incentives for new investment and economic growth in these areas."
PAKISTAN AS A REGIONAL TRADE HUB Kasuri said that the two countries have agreed to work together to make Pakistan a hub of economic activity between South Asia and Central Asia, adding this is in line with President Musharraf's vision for Pakistan as a catalyst for progress in the region.
SOCIAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT The minister said that US has committed to support Pakistan's social sector development, particularly education. The US Fulbright Scholarship Programme in Pakistan is the largest in the world, he added.
WAR AGAINST TERRORISM On Pakistan's war against terrorism, Kasuri said that Pakistan's campaign against terrorism is not to please the United States, as there are a number of areas, like Iraq invasion, where we have not supported the United States. "We support the US, where our strategic and national interests are served, if Pakistan is to progress, we must work for peace and stability," he added.
With regard to agreement between the United States and India on civilian nuclear technology co-operation, Kasuri said Pakistan has asked the United States for similar agreement and the US has understood our position.
He said that Musharraf discussed this issue with President Bush both in one on one meeting and in delegation-level talks.
Kasuri said we apprised the US during the talks of Pakistan's expanding economy, and stressed that with increase in growth rate we have already revised our energy requirements; our gas reserves, which we thought would last 40 years or so; our current estimates are, may last ten to 15 years, that was why we were in a rush to procure gas from all over, whether from Iran or Turkmenistan or Qatar and in this connection we have adopted a holistic policy.
He said we have already decided to set up some nuclear reactors to produce energy in co-operation with China.
The minister said that US has understood our position, but naturally it is not that easy, even in the case of India also it had been going on for a long time and there are still some critics even in the Congress Party.
He said, "one needs to pave the way for such things, they do not happen overnight, we are working with the United States. US Secretary of Energy would visit Pakistan very soon and we will take up this matter with him also."
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