Khar, Rajiv discuss cooperation

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Administrator USAID Dr Rajiv Shah called on the Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday and the two sides reviewed the state of economic collaboration and USAID work and assistance projects in Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister expressed deep gratitude for the aid being provided by the US to Pakistan, particularly in times of global economic uncertainty.
She also thanked for the timely and generous US humanitarian support during the floods in Pakistan in 2010 and 2011. Terming the US assistance as an investment in the future of the relationship, Foreign Minister Khar particularly appreciated USAID projects in the energy sector and road infrastructure.
Large signature projects, the Foreign Minister pointed out, could be important symbols of the good that Pakistan-US partnership has brought to the people of Pakistan. In this regard, she appreciated the signing of the MoU for Peshawar-Torkham road for which $70 million is being released. She also stressed the desirability for timely “on budget” release of funds and the need for greater coordination and synergy in project implementation between USAID and Pakistan government.
Foreign Minister Khar reiterated that the Government of Pakistan favors early convening of the Working Groups on Economy and Finance, Trade and Market Access, Energy, and Water, to intensify collaboration between the two countries.
The USAID Administrator, Rajiv Shah apprised the Foreign Minister of the USAID’s operational difficulties in Pakistan and urged the Government of Pakistan to address these to ensure smooth and effective delivery of the assistance.