FM Bilawal and Blinken talk about the regional economy and recovery.
ISLAMABAD
On Tuesday US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke by phone with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and during the conversation Washington pledged to support reforms for Pakistan’s economic recovery and work with Pakistan on anti terrorism efforts.
The two leaders resolved to strengthen their relationship and continue working together to achieve peace and development after having conversations on a variety of themes according to the foreign office.
Blinken said in a tweet yesterday night that the US supports a productive democratic and prosperous partnership with Pakistan and that he had spoken with Bilawal about helping the nation’s economic recovery and our shared regional concerns, including Afghanistan.
Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the Pakistani people by stating that Pakistan’s economic development is one of United States top priorities according to the foreign office.
Peace security and development remained at the top of Bilawal and Blinken’s list of objectives according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Blinken also promised to be in touch with Islamabad regularly in order to plan technical and development initiatives and work to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations.
The US diplomat welcomed the recent progress in the IMF Pakistan agreement and pledged that his nation will support measures for Pakistan’s economic recovery.
Blinken said that
the US will continue to strengthen our partnership with Pakistan for counter terrorism while acknowledging the hardship of Pakistanis who have been severely harmed by terrorism.
The spokeswoman for the Foreign Office has also acknowledged that the two presidents telephone chat included topics such as the conflict in Afghanistan and the situation in Russia Ukraine.
Notably the Foreign Office had emphasized that it would maintain its neutrality on the Russia Ukraine crisis during the Ukrainian foreign minister’s first visit to Pakistan last week.
There have been allegations that Pakistan may be giving Ukraine weaponry while maintaining a de facto neutral stance.
However Bilawal has firmly refuted these claims stating that Pakistan absolutely abides by the non partisanship principle.
While Pakistan views the development as a direct threat to its security interests it has expressed to the US its significant misgivings about the US expanding defense cooperation with India.
These changes outline a critical background for Pakistan US ties which are quickly changing.
It should be noted here that according
to an official handout a senior US military commander spoke with Army Chief General Asim Munir yesterday at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on regional security and defense cooperation.
Inter Services Public Relations ISPR reports that during a meeting between the army commander and US Central Command Centcom General Michael Erik Kurilla the security situation in the area and defense cooperation were covered.
It said Both presidents were reported to have reaffirmed their intention to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all spheres.
The ISPR said that the visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s successes in fight against terrorism and Pakistan’s continued efforts for bringing peace and stability to the region.
