Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday used his meeting with US President Barack Obama to call for an end to drone strikes in the country’s tribal regions.
Sharif told a joint press conference at the Oval Office, the PM said he raised the drone issue and urged for halt to the drone campaign.
"I also brought up the issue of drones in our meeting, emphasizing the need for an end to such strikes," he said.The press conference was shown live by Pakistan's state TV.
Obama avoided mentioning the issue but said Pak-U.S. partnership is “based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Obama emphasized on Pakistan’s role in peace in Afghanistan as the US and its allies are in the process of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.
Obama said he was “confident” of a solution “that is good for Afghanistan, but also helps to protect Pakistan over the long term.”
The US President hailed Pakistan’s sacrifices from extremism. More than 40,000 Pakistanis have died in attacks over the past decade.
“I know the Prime Minister is very much committed to try to reduce this incidence of terrorism inside Pakistan” and also wants to stop its export, Obama said.
Obama acknowledged tensions and “misunderstandings” between the two countries. He said the two leaders had pledged to work together on security issues in ways that “respect Pakistan’s sovereignty.”
“We committed to working together and making sure that rather than this being a source of tension between our two countries, this can be a source of strength for us working together,” Obama said.
Both countries agreed to revive Strategic dialogue in March 2014
“Both leaders welcomed the resumption of the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue and reaffirmed its importance as the suitable framework for guiding the bilateral relationship,” a joint statement read.
The discussed the forthcoming Ministerial-level Strategic Dialogue, which Secretary Kerry would be hosting in Washington by March 2014, will focus on people-centered initiatives and on results-oriented outcomes in support of the long-term stability, prosperity, and security of both the United States and Pakistan.
In addition to that, the two countries also decided on the strategic priorities for the five working groups including: 1) Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism; 2) Economics and Finance; 3) Energy; 4) Security, Strategic Stability, and Non-Proliferation; and 5) the Defense Consultative Group.
President Obama reiterated his confidence in Pakistan’s commitment and dedication to nuclear security and recognised that Pakistan is fully engaged with the international community on nuclear safety and security issues.
Both leaders emphasised that nuclear terrorism is one of the most challenging threats to international security.
Obama appreciated Pakistan’s constructive engagement with the Nuclear Security Summit process and its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international forums, while acknowledging Pakistan’s efforts to improve its strategic trade controls and enhance its engagement with multilateral export regimes.
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