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Pakistan, U.S to build robust defense relationship: joint statement
ISLAMABAD Mar 04 : Pakistan and the United States have agreed to ‘build a robust defense relationship that advances shared security goals promotes regional stability, and contributes to international security’, said a joint statement on Saturday.
“The two leaders agreed on the continued robust U.S security assistance to meet Pakistan’s legitimate defense needs and bolster its capabilities in the war on terror,” said the statement issued during President Bush visit to Pakistan on Saturday.
The two leaders agreed to deepen bilateral collaboration in the fields of defense training, join exercises, defense procurement, technology transfers and international peacekeeping.
“They decided to increase the frequency of defense policy discussions to strengthen collaboration in the identified sectors”.
They agreed to work together to ensure the maintenance of peace, security, and stability in the South Asia region and beyond as well as to cooperate closely international institutions, including bodies of the United Nations, on matters of mutual concern.
President Pervez Musharraf and S President George W Bush affirmed the long-term strategic partnership between their two countries, said the statement. The two leaders expressed determination to strengthen the foundation of partnership for a strong, stable and enduring relationship.
“The Pakistan-US strategic partnership is based on the shared interests of the Pakistan and the United States in building stable and sustainable democracy and in promoting peace and security, stability, prosperity and democracy in South Asia and across the globe”, the joint statement said.
The statement said that Pakistan and the United States are making meaningful progress toward concluding a bilateral investment treaty.
Both the leaders expressed commitment to work together with Afghanistan to make Pakistan and Afghanistan a land bridge linking the economic potentials of South Asia and Central Asia.
President Bush said that the American people feel profound sympathy for the victims of the tragic earthquake that struck on October 8, 2005. He reaffirmed the United States’ determination to stand by the Pakistani people as they recover and rebuild.
President Musharraf and President Bush reaffirmed their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
President Bush expressed gratitude for President Musharraf’s strong and vital support in the war on terror. The two leaders underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy for addressing the threat of terrorism and extremism.
According to the joint statement, President Musharraf and President Bush will continue to work together to address political injustice, poverty, corruption, ignorance, and hopelessness. They resolved to maintain their close counter-terrorism cooperation and to increase their efforts to reduce the threat of terrorism regionally and internationally.
The two leaders recognized the need to promote tolerance, respect and mutual understanding, and inter-faith harmony to strengthen appreciation of the values and norms common to the world’s religions and cultures.
The two leaders acknowledged with appreciation the various international initiatives in this regard including President Musharraf’s concept of enlightened moderation and agreed to avoid acts that might disturb inter-faith harmony.
Both the leaders supported the peace process and composite dialogue between Pakistan and India for improvement of relations and resolution of disputes and building a better future in South Asia.
President Musharraf and President Bush shared concern about the threat to global stability posed by the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and the threat of terrorists groups acquiring such weapons.
The two leaders were committed to play leading roles in international efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD, their delivery systems and related technology and expertise.
According to the statement, the two leaders would launch a Strategic Dialogue under the Strategic Partnership. The Dialogue will be co-chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary and the US. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. They will meet regularly to review issues of mutual interest.
In implementation of the strategic partnership, the two leaders expressed commitment to undertake steps in the areas of economic growth and prosperity, energy, peace and security, social sector development, science and technology, democracy and non-proliferation.
They agreed on the establishment and implementation of strong financial sector controls that can defend against illicit finance. The US will facilitate Pakistan’s economic growth through increased trade and investment links with the United States and within the region and the global economy, including through an economic dialogue encompassing bilateral cooperation for Pakistan’s economic development, regional economic cooperation, and the global economy.
The United States will provide financial support for the establishment of a Centre for Entrepreneurship in Pakistan under the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA) initiative. The Centre will promote entrepreneurial training and skills development to young women and men to launch business initiatives that would generate employment opportunities.
On Energy cooperation, the two countries will hold a high level energy meeting to inaugurate an energy working group, which will explore ways to meet Pakistan’s growing energy needs and strengthen its energy security. They will work together to develop public and private collaboration on a broad range of energy sources.
On social sector development, the US will continue support in the health sector through collaborative projects and program as well as reinforce Pakistan’s efforts to reform and expand access to its public education through continuing US cooperation.
The U.S will encourage educational programs and greater interaction and linkages between the research and academic institutions of the two countries and promote exchange of students and scholars, fellowship programms and strengthen research collaboration, including through institutional support for higher education and training.
Both countries will establish a wide ranging Higher Level Dialogue on Education to enhance ad strengthen cooperation in the education sector.
In the field of Science and Technology, the U.S will build capacity in Pakistan and work towards increased cooperation in science, technology and engineering as well as to improve the quality, relevance, or capacity of education and research at Pakistan’s institutions of higher education in the field of science and technology.
The leaders agreed to establish Pakistan-US Joint Committee on Science and Technology to develop collaboration activities and relationships between the scientific and technological communities and institutes of both countries.
The two countries will enhance institutional capacity of Pakistan in the area of environment through exchange of experts and developing linkages and collaborative projects with relevant US institutions.
The statement said the U.S supports Pakistan as it develops strong and transparent democratic institutions and conducts free and fair elections to ensure sustainable democracy.
On Non-Proliferation, the U.S supports Pakistan’s non-proliferation efforts and strengthen its capabilities, by supporting Pakistan’s measures for implementation of its new export control law, including adoption of enforcement regulations and establishment of a new export licensing body. The U.S will provide assistance through the Department of Energy’s Second Line of Defense Program (Megaports) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Container Security initiative.
President Bush thanked President Musharraf and the people of Pakistan for the generous reception and warm hospitality accorded to him Mrs. Laura Bush and members of the Presidential delegation during their stay in Pakistan.