Pakistani, British PMs hold talks over bolstering bilateral ties

The prime ministers of Pakistan and Britain addressed a joint press conference on Sunday saying that the people and the governments of both the countries have strong ties and the democracies in the two countries have further strengthened it. The British Prime Minister, David Cameron said, "Pakistan's enemies are Britain's enemies and friends of Pakistan are Britain's friends". He met his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who expressed hope that like in the past, it would continue advocating Pakistan's cause in the European Union (EU) market. Nawaz said, "The United Kingdom has a strong voice in the EU. We are especially grateful to Prime Minister Cameron for his personal efforts to secure trade concessions for Pakistan in the EU." "Pakistan and the UK have strong historic and cultural affinities. The two countries have shared objectives of peace and stability in our region and beyond. We greatly appreciate the UK's economic, education and social development assistance," he added. The prime minister appreciating the UK support for education said, "I and Prime Minister Cameron share a strong commitment to education for all." While discussing the terrorism chapter, Nawaz Sharif said that has suffered the most in terms of human and financial losses, adding that Pakistan is, therefore, resolved to tackle menace of extremism and terrorism with renewed vigour and close cooperation with its friends. The prime minister expressed his hopes that UK would continue its efforts to seek sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan. According to an official press release he said, "We believe that such a process should be inclusive, Afghan-owned and Afghan-led. I have assured Prime Minister Cameron of our firm resolve to promote shared objective of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan to which the 3 million Afghan refugees currently living in Pakistan can return with honour and dignity." The British prime minister declared the peaceful transition of democratic set up 'as golden moments for people of Pakistan and congratulated Nawaz Sharif on his success in general elections, official press release said. The British premier said that their relations had many facets dating back to many years and these had bright future ahead because these ties now grew stronger between the two democracies. Cameron regarding the terrorism issue said that it required tough and uncompromising cooperation and the both countries should conduct this fight against terrorism together. The British prime minister arrived in Pakistan on a two day official visit after visiting Afghanistan. This is his second visit to Pakistan where he met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to hold wide-ranging talks on various bilateral issues.