Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Saturday said the talks between US President George W. Bush and President General Pervez Musharraf were "highly successful, satisfactory and useful."
Once again the two countries have affirmed their resolve to take the bilateral strategic partnership, he told reporters at the Presidency.
Sheikh Rashid said the one-on-one meeting between the two presidents and the delegation-level talks covered a wide-range of topics, including market access for Pakistan and co-operation in education, science and technology, energy and other fields.
He said the leaders also discussed Kashmir, Afghanistan situation and the issue of the blasphemous cartoons.
The minister noted that the US Energy Secretary would be visiting Pakistan soon for detailed discussions on the country's growing energy needs.
"The over one hour meeting between President Bush and President Musharraf was highly successful and it met our expectations," said Sheikh Rashid, adding that the talks were held in a very cordial atmosphere.
The need to step up efforts for a resolution of the Kashmir acceptable to all sides was stressed during the meeting, he said.
Referring to Thursday's Karachi bomb blast, Sheikh Rashid said the attempt to cast a shadow over the crucial visit failed and "our relations with America will continue to gain further strength and depth."
He said Pakistan has reaffirmed that it would stand firm in the fight against terrorism and that it would not budge even an inch from the national interest.
Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the access to American market for Pakistani products would contribute to cementing the strategic partnership between the two countries.
He said the already existing Pak-US defence co-operation would also receive a fillip. "Pakistan's defence is strong and no one can dare cast an evil eye on our security and sovereignty," he vowed.
Replying to a question about Indo-US nuclear deal, he said the balance of power in the region would not be upset. Pakistan has a strategic location and has deterrent defence capable of facing any threat to its security, he said.
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