Pakistan PM Says Will Improve Ties With Neighbors

Islamabad, Dec 27, IRNA -- Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, Friday said Pakistan’s quest to improve relationship with neighbors is one of the top priorities of his government’s foreign policy. “Our foreign Policy is based on four key priorities: to build a peaceful and prosperous neighborhood, to reach out to regional and international partners, to focus on “trade, not aid” and to develop a consensus-based approach to counter terrorism,” he told diplomats and foreign ministry officials in Islamabad. He was addressing inaugural ceremony of new block of the Foreign Office building in Islamabad that is named after the former Foreign Minister Sahabzada Yaqub Khan. “In order to realize the policy objectives, we have taken important initiatives to improve relations with Afghanistan, resume dialogue with India and strengthen strategic partnership with China,” he said. On international relations, he said Pakistan has also tried to re-build relations with the U.S. on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest, engagement with Europe, and enhance solidarity with the Islamic world. “In short, our message to the world is of peace and friendship. We seek cooperation based on mutual interest. Our effort is to transform the existing friendly ties into mutually beneficial partnerships.” He emphasized on promotion of economic diplomacy along with political diplomacy as both go hand in hand in modern ages. He urged Pakistani missions abroad must enhance their skills of economic diplomacy. “Our emphasis on economic dimensions of the national agenda is reflected in all these interactions,” Sharif said and referred the recent approval of GSP Plus by EU that will increase Pakistan’s exports to European nations. The Prime Minister also urged the Foreign Office to further strengthen institutional linkages with other ministries and trade departments to build a positive image of Pakistan and to promote and safeguard economic interests of Pakistan./end