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:
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.
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.
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."
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."