The United States of America today reaffirmed commitment to enhance and advance its bilateral relationship with Pakistan.
On his visit to Islamabad in Pakistan, Deputy Secretary Thomas Nides met Pakistani Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh to discuss about the future of their important bilateral relationship.
Both countries engaged in discussion on how they can expand and enhance economic, security and political cooperation.
The United States believes that it can achieve a balanced approach to its relationship with Pakistan as it relates to their sovereignty and interests but also respects U.S. interests.
One interest both countries share is the growth of their economies to create jobs and prosperity for all of their citizens.
Mr. Nides discussed with the Minister, their futures are truly linked and both have significant work to do together.
Both countries continue to cooperate on the Kerry-Lugar-Berman funding.
Since October of 2009, both countries have provided over $2.6 billion in civilian assistance to Pakistan, including more than $800 million in emergency assistance to respond to the floods and the conflict, Mr. Nides noted.
“To be honest, I couldn’t be prouder of the significant accomplishments we have achieved together. Because the relationship with Pakistan is so important to both of our countries.” -Mr. Nides
The United States recognizes Pakistan’s need when it comes to energy.
Mr. Nides notes that United States has collaborated with the Pakistani Government to fund work on the Tarbela Dam, and other major energy projects.
The energy projects has expanded Pakistan’s electricity-generation capacity to over 400 megawatts to bring electricity to over 6 million Pakistanis.
By the end of 2013, both countries’ goal is to have another 900 megawatts to the national grid to provide electricity to over 10 million Pakistanis, which is critically important to the people of Pakistan, Mr. Nides stressed.
The United States also continues to sponsor the world’s largest Fulbright program in Pakistan, which brought more than 1,000 Pakistani scholars traveling to the United States since 2005.
“I couldn’t be prouder, because having your kids and your students coming to the United States, and having our students coming to Pakistan is a way we build long-term trust between our two countries.” -Mr. Nides
He stresses that the United States and Pakistan must need to work together to accomplish these goals.
Pakistan has become a very good friend of the U.S. Government, Mr. Nides said.
He emphasizes that the relationship between the United States and Pakistan is vital to US shared security and economic prosperity.
The United States continues to assert the relevance of cooperation with Pakistan to American national security.
On March 2009, President Obama, President Karzai, President Zardari, and senior members of their governments reaffirmed their commitments to a peaceful and cooperative future for Afghanistan and Pakistan and to combat the spread of extremism and terrorism.
The three countries resolved to strengthen their strategic partnership based on a shared commitment toward promoting enduring peace, security, stability and economic cooperation in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They also expressed a shared desire to deepen the strategic dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan and to continue a trilateral dialogue. The United States reaffirmed its strong commitment to the strategic partnerships at the bilateral level with both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
