Pakistan relying on UK for greater trade with EU, says Qureshi

LONDON: Britain says it is committed to taking forward the strong and multi-layered UK-Pakistan relations, based on mutual interests and shared values.

These remarks were made by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband after holding a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi here on Monday evening.

The foreign ministers of both countries met to discuss a wide range of issues, including trade, UKís implementation of Afghan strategy, Pakistan’s dialogue with the US administration this week, and the threat of terrorism to both countries and recent fissure that surfaced in the relations of two countries as a result of the arrest of 10 innocent Pakistani students, currently appealing against their deportation bid.

The foreign minister, who flew out on Monday from here to join President Zardari in crucial talks with US President Barack Obama starting from on Wednesday, was joined in talks by Pakistan’s envoy to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan while David Miliband was assisted by former UK high commissioner to Pakistan Sir Lyall Grant.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Miliband said: “We had very good discussion that was clearly reflective of the depth, breadth and intensity of the UK-Pakistan relationships at various levels.” The British foreign secretary mentioned the recent visit of Prime Minister Gordon Brown to Pakistan to illustrate Pakistan’s importance as an ally to the UK. He said Shah Mehmood Qureshi briefed him on the crucial Washington talks and some of the new ideas Pakistan has developed for these talks.

Miliband also talked about the importance of Pakistanís relationship with the European Union and hoped that a major summit on June 17 in Brussels will be a major platform to further consolidate the ties between the EU and Pakistan.

Qureshi spoke about the ìcandidî discussion on improving the bilateral relationship and said the British prime minister held key strategic discussions with Pakistani officials during his recent visit.

Miliband said the scourge of terrorism was a threat common to both countries but Pakistan was suffering more and on a daily basis in the form of civilian and military casualties. He said both the UK and Pakistan were committed to uproot the terror threat and were working closely to achieve the objective.

Qureshi said there were some ìvery good ideas in that strategyî that Pakistan would like to develop further and hoped it will lead to further partnership and cooperation.

Qureshi said Pakistan was relying on UK support during the June 17 Brussels summit to gain greater market access for Pakistani exports, leading to a Free Trade Agreement. He revealed that he had invited the British foreign secretary to visit his home town of Multan, also associated with Sufi shrines and tolerance for different beliefs, and get to know people and how they view the democratic process and Talibanisation.

Answering a question on the incarceration of 10 Pakistan students, Qureshi said there is always a better way to deal such sensitive issues. Answering the same question, Miliband lauded the contribution made by the million strong British Pakistani community and 10,000 Pakistani students but said the case of the 10 students was being dealt with according to the judicial system. He said the role of the Pakistanis in the UK development was crucial.

He said the meeting in Tokyo to approve aid package to rescue Pakistani’s economy was a clear reflection of the West’s support to Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and reflected West’s appreciation of the contribution Pakistan was making towards world peace and prosperity.