US expresses respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty

To create an atmosphere of goodwill and cordiality for the meeting between President Barack Omaba and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in Seoul, the United States on Sunday expressed respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.
Ahead of the meeting between the two leaders, the United States Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Marc Grossman, met Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari in Dushanbe. “Ambassador Grossman highlighted the United States’ respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan,” a statement, issued by the US embassy in Islamabad, said. He also expressed respect for Pakistan’s ongoing parliamentary review of US-Pakistan relations. “Our belief is that we have many shared interests and common goals that we can act on together,” he was quoted as saying.
The ambassador and President Zardari discussed the importance of regional stability and security, including efforts to support an Afghan peace process. Ambassador Grossman said Pakistan’s recent call for insurgents to join an Afghan peace process was welcome and helpful. President Asif Ali Zardari said the parliamentary review process of Pak-US relations, that was long overdue, was a manifestation of democracy taking roots in Pakistan and the elected representatives taking ownership of one of Pakistan’s most important bilateral relationships.
He said that the effort had to be to work within the parameters set by the parliament and not to bypass it. The two also discussed the importance of counter-terrorism cooperation against insurgents who would harm Afghans, Pakistanis, and Americans, and Ambassador Grossman recalled the sacrifices of so many Pakistanis in the fight again violence extremism. They noted the importance of regional economic integration and discussed how best to expand trade and economic cooperation both bilaterally and in the region. Ambassador Grossman emphasized that the United States wanted an honest, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Pakistan and remains committed to continued engagement.