Zardari‚ Clinton discuss Afghan peace

President Asif Ali Zardari and US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton on Monday discussed bilateral ties and Afghan peace process in New York.
The two leaders took the opportunity to review recent positive developments in the relationship, including the opening of the GLOCs, high-level contacts between the two sides, the signing of MOU on the up-gradation of the Peshawar-Torkham Road and the release of the CSF reimbursements.
“We should build on the positive momentum,” the president informed Secretary Clinton. The president and Clinton had an in-depth conversation on the way forward. The two also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and how Pakistan and the US could cooperate in helping bring peace and stability in that country.
The president assured Secretary Clinton that Pakistan was prepared to do everything in its power to help an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
He also conveyed that peace and stability in Pakistan were tied to peace and stability in Afghanistan. “No country has paid a higher price for the conflict in Afghanistan than Pakistan,” he said.
The president also took the opportunity to express the deep dismay of the people of Pakistan over the blasphemous video. “One or two insane persons should not be allowed to endanger world peace in the garb of freedom of expression,” he said.
The president thanked Secretary Clinton for US assistance to Pakistan and stressed the need that rather spreading too thin, the US should focus on large signature projects. On cooperation in trade and economy, the president appreciated the recent announcement of multi-year Pakistan Private Initiative based on public private partnership with up to $80 million of US funding, saying such steps would encourage entrepreneurship for promising Pakistani companies. He expressed the hope that substantial progress would be witnessed in the coming days in the bilateral investment treaty between the two countries.
The president also called for greater market access for Pakistani products in the US markets.
He said Pakistan looked forward to productive deliberations at the Pakistan Investment Conference next month in London for attracting investment in the country. He also welcomed creation of US-Pakistan Women Business Council.
The secretary of state reiterated the desire of the US government to continue working with the government and people of Pakistan for further strengthening the bilateral relations and for the peace, stability and socio-economic development of the region.