Press release

Foreign Secretary meets Pakistan鈥檚 National Security and Foreign Affairs Adviser

Adviser Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary William Hague met today to further the strategic relations between Pakistan and the UK, which underpins the enduring partnership between both countries.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Foreign Secretary and Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Pakistani Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs

Foreign Secretary and Sartaj Aziz, adviser to Pakistani Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs

皇冠体育appy reviewed progress on bilateral commitments and discussed future plans to develop a deeper dialogue between the two countries, strengthening friendship and promoting mutual interests. 皇冠体育app dialogue represents a long-term commitment by both countries to work together for greater security and prosperity.

Adviser Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary William Hague discussed priority areas of the bilateral relationship including; renewing commitment to increase bilateral trade to 拢3 billion by 2015; promoting investments; enhancing Pakistan鈥檚 EU trade access recently secured with significant UK support; the UK鈥檚 commitment to stand alongside Pakistan to tackle militancy, terrorism and extremism while acknowledging the huge sacrifices the Pakistani nation has made. 皇冠体育appy also welcomed the positive contribution made by the British Pakistani community to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. 皇冠体育app two sides agreed to review the whole spectrum of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif鈥檚 forthcoming visit to the UK.

After the meeting the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

Pakistan and the UK share longstanding ties. I was pleased to have this opportunity to discuss plans to reframe the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue into a deeper and more focused agreement between our two countries, which strengthens our partnership and promotes our mutual interests.

This dialogue represents a continuing, long-term commitment by both countries to work together to create the conditions necessary for greater security and prosperity.

Adviser Sartaj Aziz said:

I was delighted to hold substantive discussions with Foreign Secretary William Hague and other key British cabinet members on the progress of bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest.

I emphasized the importance of greater international recognition of Pakistan鈥檚 security concerns. We agreed to intensify efforts to achieve meaningful and mutually beneficial progress in a holistic manner under the framework of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue.

皇冠体育app UK remains, as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said, one of Pakistan鈥檚 closest allies and the leading development partner.

皇冠体育app Enhanced Strategic Dialogue was signed in 2011 and sets out the UK and Pakistan鈥檚 strategic partnership in 5 areas: trade and business relations; financial, macro-economic stabilization and development cooperation; Education and health; consultations on defence and security; and cultural cooperation.

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Published 14 March 2014