Fatemi meets US dy defense secretary in Pentagon

WASHINGTON: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs (SAPM) Syed Tariq Fatemi visited the Pentagon on Saturday to meet the US Deputy Defence Secretary, Robert Work.
During their warm and friendly meeting, both sides exchanged views on wide-ranging issues of common strategic interest.
The SAPM and Deputy Secretary of Defence expressed satisfaction that the Pakistan-US bilateral relationship was on an upward trajectory. Fatemi appreciated the US support to Pakistan in dealing with security challenges and reiterated Pakistan’s determination to resolutely fight the menace of terrorism.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that the Defence Consultative Group, a working group under the bilateral strategic dialogue, had been a productive mechanism in stimulating close and successful partnership in a number of key areas.
Tariq Fatemi also briefed the deputy secretary on Pakistan’s desire to establish friendly relations with all its neighbors in the interest of building a peaceful, secure and prosperous neighbourhood. He outlined specific steps that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had undertaken in that direction, including extending Pakistan’s support to peace and stability in Afghanistan. At the Capitol Hill on Saturday, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi met Rep. Pete Chairman of the Rules Committee of the House of Representatives.
He briefed Rep. Sessions on the state of Pakistan-US bilateral relationship. He said that a politically stable, economically growing and democratic Pakistan was a strong partner of the United States. Both sides discussed issues related to bilateral security & economic cooperation and the ways and means to add further vigor in the relationship.
Welcoming Fatemi, Rep. Sessions expressed satisfaction on the growing momentum in bilateral cooperation. He appreciated Pakistan’s resolute actions against terrorism and noted the sacrifices made by Pakistanis in the struggle against extremism.