EGP edges lower against USD in early Monday trade    Egypt delivers over 30 million health services through public hospitals in H1 2025    Egypt joins Geneva negotiations on Global Plastics Treaty, calls for urgent agreement    Madinet Masr in talks for three land plots in Riyadh as part of Saudi expansion    Egypt's PM tells Palestinian PM that Rafah crossing is working 24/7 for aid    Egypt, Japan discuss economic ties, preparations for TICAD conference    Real Estate Developers urge flexible land pricing, streamlined licensing, and dollar-based transactions    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Egypt's Supreme Energy Council reviews power supply plans for 14 industrial projects    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Pakistan expects US ‘to remain sensitive' to its interests
Published in The Egyptian Gazette on 22 - 05 - 2010

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi is currently in Cairo to co-chair a Pakistani-Egyptian ministerial commission with his Egyptian counterpart. The two countries share close relations based on common bonds of religion, culture and commonality of interests.
During his two-day visit, Qureshi will confer with senior Egyptian officials, notably President Hosni Mubarak; Ahmed Fathi Sorour, the Speaker of the People's Assembly (the Lower House of the Egyptian Parliament); and Rashid Mohamed Rashid, the Minister of Trade and Industry; as well as Chief of the Cairo-based Arab League, Amr Moussa.
The Egyptian Gazette has caught up with the Pakistani official for an interview on a host of issues ranging from his country's war against terror, to relations with the US, India and Egypt.
The Gazette: How successful are the anti-terror war efforts of your government?
Answer: A significant achievement of our democratic government has been to build domestic consensus and people's ownership of the ongoing struggle against terrorism. Coupled with this is the unparalleled success of our security forces against the terrorism in FATA and Swat.
The success of operation “Rah-e-Rast” in Swat was a testimony to this effect. Terrorists were completely wiped out. However, we did not stop there and in October 2009, the government extended the law enforcement operation against terrorists to South Waziristan region. Fortunately, with the support of local population, our security forces have succeeded in enforcing the writ of the government in the entire South Waziristan agency as well.
The Gazette: What makes this war different from the anti-terror war was waged by the US? And how far is the disagreement between Pakistan and the US in this regard?
Answer: Pakistan values its partnership with the US, built on a foundation of mutual interest, respect and trust. Pakistan and the US share the same strategic objectives; (a) peaceful and stable Afghanistan and (b) combating terrorism and violent extremism. Both Pakistan and the US have achieved significant successes in breaking the back of al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Having said that, we expect the US to remain sensitive to our core national interests and concerns.
We also believe that international military presence in Afghanistan should be coupled with political and developmental commitment. Terrorism thrives on political and economic deprivation and ignorance. Socio-economic amelioration of the people is necessary to wean people away from obscurantist tendencies.
The Gazette: Does Pakistan feel its role in fighting terrorism is fully understood and appreciated by the Obama administration?
Answer: No other nation has suffered more or sacrificed more than Pakistan in the struggle against terrorism. We have suffered more casualties than the coalition on Afghanistan. We believe that our counter-terrorism efforts must be acknowledged by the international community at all forums. US has a special role to play in this regard.
The Gazette: How do you evaluate Pakistan's relations and talks with India? And does Pakistan believe that India is serious about conducting “fruitful” negotiations?
Answer: Pakistan wishes to have friendly, co-operative and good neighbourly relations with India. We would like to continue to work with India to resolve all outstanding issues between our two countries, peacefully and in a just manner.
The prime ministers of Pakistan and India met late last April in Thimpu on the sidelines of 16th SAARC Summit. Both sides agreed that foreign ministers and foreign secretaries of both countries would meet as soon as possible to work out modalities for restoration of trust and resumption dialogue between the two countries.
As part of the understanding reached at Thimpu, I called the Indian EAM on May 11. We agreed that EAM Krishna would visit Pakistan for a foreign minister-level meeting, which will be held on July 15. It was also agreed that the Indian foreign secretary would visit Pakistan next June to lay the ground work for the July meeting of the two foreign ministers.
Pakistan believes that resumption of the dialogue process is vital to start building trust and confidence. A process of meaningful and serious engagement across the board can lead to resolution of all differences and disputes between Pakistan and India.
The Gazette: How do you rate the Pakistani-Egyptian relations? How do you think these relations can be enhanced? Do you have specific ideas to discuss during your talks in Egypt?
Answer: Pakistan greatly values its relationship with Egypt, which is characterised by cordiality, friendship and mutual co-operation. Co-operation between the two countries is expanding and growing, particularly in trade and investment sectors. The Third Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission is taking place in Cairo on May 22-23. The JMC would identify areas for further enhancing co-operation in multiple sectors.
Given the mutual understanding and existing goodwill, there is great potential between the two countries for further enhancing bilateral co-operation in the economic, commercial, cultural, agricultural and other sectors. Both sides are keen to realise this potential.
During my visit here, we would discuss some specific proposals for promotion of bilateral co-operation, which include identification of new items for bilateral trade, diversification of bilateral investments and setting up of ad-hoc working groups on investment and agriculture.


Clic here to read the story from its source.