Printer Friendly Version

PR. No. 278/2009

Date: 22/07/2009   

AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS ON FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI

The Foreign Minister of Australia, Mr. Stephen Smith called on Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Phuket, Thailand on 22 July 2009.

The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere and issues of bilateral and mutual interest came under discussion. Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the progress made by Pakistan in its efforts against the extremists in Swat and Malakand. He underscored that there was unprecedented public support for the government's action against the militants, which was a great achievement of the democratic government.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that peace and stability in Afghanistan was extremely important for the region. Pakistan and Afghanistan were engaged in bilateral as well as trilateral processes to stabilize the situation.

The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to eliminate terrorism and militancy and apprised the Australian Foreign Minister of the progress in the investigation of the Mumbai incident. Recalling the recent meeting between the two Prime Ministers at Sharm- el- Sheikh, the Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan's desire for peaceful and good neighbourly relations with India.

The two Foreign Ministers agreed on early convening of the Bilateral Policy Consultations and Joint Trade Committee meeting. The Foreign Minister thanked the Australian Foreign Minister for announcing bilateral economic assistance as well as extending assistance for the dislocated population. Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in education, health, energy and agriculture sectors. The need to link Think-Tanks of the two countries was also highlighted.

The Australian Foreign Minister renewed his invitation to the Foreign Minister to visit Australia at his earliest convenience.

Islamabad

22 July 2009