ISLAMABAD: Senior American diplomat Alice Wells on Tuesday held delegation-level talks with Pakistani officials here to “further strengthen” bilateral relations between the two countries.
Alice Wells, who is the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, held delegation level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Pakistani side was led by Aftab Khokher, Additional Secretary (Americas). Senior officials from the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defence also attended the meeting.
The meeting took stock of the understanding reached between Foreign Minister Qureshi and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to rebuild the relationship based on mutual trust and respect. The Pakistani side emphasised the need to diversify the relationship with particular focus on enhanced economic and trade cooperation and people to people contacts.
Evolving regional situation and peace and stability in Afghanistan were also discussed. The US delegation appreciated the need to strengthen the bilateral relationship with Pakistan which was an important country of the region.
The two sides agreed to continue efforts to promote the shared objectives of peace and stability in the region and diversify bilateral relationship.
WELLS MEETS ASAD:
The US envoy also called on Finance Minister Asad Umar.
During the meeting, Wells and Umar discussed the present state of Pakistan-US ties — with an emphasis on economic cooperation — and the overall security situation in the region, a Ministry of Finance press release said.
“Matters related to international cooperation to curb terror financing also came under discussion,” the statement said.
The finance minister was quoted as saying during the meeting that Pakistan had made great strides in the war against terrorism in recent years and “it will continue to take all possible steps to root out terror financing and money laundering”.
Umar shared the government’s vision to reform the country’s economy with the diplomat, who informed the minister about the US efforts for regional security.
The finance minister said “such visits contribute to enhancing understanding of each other’s point of view on issues of bilateral significance”.
