Pakistan and Canada have expressed resolve to further enhance their bilateral economic co-operation, a foreign ministry statement said after top diplomats from both countries met here on Thursday.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Inamul Haque discussed with visiting Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister Leonard J. Edwards bilateral relations, recent developments in Pakistan and regional issues of common interest.
Haque underscored Pakistan's commitment to building a broad-based and long-term relationship with Canada marked by growing co-operation in the political, economic, military and cultural fields as well as expanded business and people-to-people contacts.
Edwards stressed the importance Canada attached to a closer relationship with Pakistan. Both sides noted the recent increase in bilateral trade and commercial ties and agreed to further reinforce bilateral economic co-operation through the agreed institutional mechanisms.
Edwards expressed sympathies over the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Noting the importance of free and fair elections, the visiting minister said that Canada would be participating in the international observer mission for poll monitoring. Inam underlined Pakistan's resolve to continue on the democratic path and defeat terrorism. He stated that Pakistan would continue to work with the international partners to promote the process of stabilisation in Afghanistan.