LONDON – President Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan and UK have longstanding relations which are based on shared interests and mutual respect.
Both countries agreed to do more together to fight militancy, smoothing over a diplomatic spat that followed British criticism of Pakistani efforts in countering extremism.
While talking to media after an hour-long meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron at his holiday home in the west London area of Chequers on Friday, President Zardari complimented Prime Minister Cameron on his election as the Prime Minister of Britain. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to further strengthen strategic and bilateral ties by intensifying the UK-Pakistan strategic dialogue and confirming a yearly summit. The dialogue will deepen consultation on global and regional issues of peace and stability, people-to-people links, business investment and trade, collaboration in education sector, cultural and Parliamentary links.
“This is a friendship that will never break, no matter what happens,” Zardari said outside UK Prime Minister’s retreat.
“Storms will come and storms will go, and Pakistan and Britain will stand together and face all the difficulties with dignity,” he said. Cameron said he wanted to enhance London’s partnership with Islam-abad “in the absolutely vital area of combating terrorism”. And he said they had discussed “what we see as an unbreakable relationship between Britain and Pakistan based on our mutual interests”.
“We want to work together to combat terrorism,” he said. “Whether it’s keeping troops safe in Afghanistan or to keep people safe on the streets of Britain, that is a real priority for my government.” Zardari has insisted Islamabad is committed to fighting militants in the region, including in Afghanistan, where the Taliban have waged a fierce insurgency since the US-led invasion drove them from power in 2001.
The two leaders welcomed the forthcoming launch of British-Pakistan Foundation as an initiative to promote connections between the peoples of two countries. They agreed that a strong, stable, secure and economically prosperous Pakistan is vital to global and regional peace and stability. In recognition of this, both leaders agreed to pursue closer development, economic and trade cooperation as part of the intensified strategic dialogue.
President Zardari underscored that Pakistan needs trade even more than aid. Prime Minister Cameron said UK would continue to be PakistanÂ’s strongest ally in pursuing its greater trade access to the EU.
Cameron expressed the UKÂ’s support for PakistanÂ’s democratic government and expressed his countryÂ’s solidarity and support for Pakistan coping with the large-scale devastation wreaked by the recent floods. He also expressed his condolences at the loss of precious lives and sympathy for the bereaved families.
President Zardari expressed his gratitude for the UK’s pledge of ú10 million of immediate relief for flood victims and for accelerating an already agreed ú10 million bridge reconstruction programme.
Among the common challenges facing the UK and Pakistan is the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. Both leaders agreed that terrorism and extremism are global issues and needed to be combated by intensifying cooperation at the global and regional level.
In a joint statement, Cameron and Zardari said London and Islamabad would step up their anti-terror cooperation.
“Among the common challenges facing the UK and Pakistan is the fight against terrorism and violent extremism,” they said.
Cameron recognised the sacrifices made by PakistanÂ’s military, law enforcement agencies and people in fighting violent extremism. He also appreciated the efforts of democratic government.
Both leaders reviewed close cooperation that already exists between the respective police forces and other security agencies. The two leaders agreed that such cooperation needs to and will intensify. In this regard the British Home Secretary would visit Pakistan in the fall. They asked the Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism to make proposals for enhancing practical cooperation ahead of the visit.
Pakistan and Britain will intensify their strategic engagement and pursue comprehensive ministerial-level cooperation under the framework of a summit-level strategic dialogue process. This will be taken forward through annual contacts between the British Prime Minster and the President/Prime Minister of Pakistan. These summit meetings will be reinforced through regular national security discussions. The two leaders looked forward to the meeting between Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and British Foreign Minister William Hague under the revitalised dialogue in October.
President Zardari invited Prime Minister Cameron to make an early visit to Pakistan which he accepted.
President Zardari is facing severe criticism after the meeting as he did not raise concern over the controversial statement made by Prime David Cameron against Pakistan during his visit to India.