Top US Envoy To Visit Pakistan For Afghan Talks

Islamabad, Oct 18, IRNA -- US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Marc Grossman will visit Pakistan for talks on bilateral matters and Afghanistan. The State Department said on its website that Grossman embarked on his visit on Tuesday, which will first take him to Ankara. In Ankara, Ambassador Grossman will attend a meeting of the International Contact Group (ICG) for Afghanistan. This meeting of the ICG will focus on the status of Afghan and international commitments on security and development following the Chicago NATO summit and the Tokyo Conference. The ICG member countries also plan to discuss international support for transition planning and an Afghan-led political process. “In Islamabad, Ambassador Grossman will continue our work with the Pakistani government to identify our shared interests and focus on actions we can take together,” the State Department said. His trip builds on recent engagements, including Secretary Clinton’s meetings with Foreign Minister Khar in Washington and President Zardari in New York, as well as the recent U.S.-Pakistan Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism Working Group convened in Washington, DC on October 5. The visit comes at a time when diplomatic efforts for solution of Afghan problem are gaining momentum./end