Pakistan, United States agree to continue dialogue to further strengthen ties, remove differences on contentious issues

New York, September 19, 2011 (PPI): Pakistan and United States agreed to continue dialogue to further strengthen bilateral relations and remove differences on various contentious issues. This was agreed in meeting between Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in New York. Both leaders discussed bilateral ties, regional situation with particular focus on Afghanistan and way out of decade old conflict.

Hina Khar later described the meeting as "very well and constructive." She hoped Pakistan, U.S. relations will further strengthen. "We want to establish long-term relations with the U.S. in trade‚ economic and security areas." Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir & Pakistan's ambassador States Hussain Haqqani assisted Hina Khar in talks. Hillary had on her side U.S. Special Envoy for Pakistan & Afghanistan Marc Grossman & U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter.

Officials said Hillary and Hina Khar who are in New York to attend UN General Assembly session beginning on Wednesday also discussed reconciliation in Afghanistan‚ regional peace, Istanbul & Bonn upcoming Conferences on Afghanistan and role U.S. & Pakistan wish to play. Pakistan always supported reconciliation process in Afghanistan and desired that Islamabad‚ Kabul & Washington to be on the same page to move it forward.