Pakistan, Britain discuss security, economic cooperation

The visiting British Foreign Secretary William Hague, on Thursday met Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif and discussed Pakistan's priorities of revitalizing the economy, dealing with the energy crisis, creating a pro- business and pro-investment climate, and improving the security situation. The Prime Minister's office said they discussed how the United Kingdom can contribute in these areas and benefit from investment and business opportunities in Pakistan. The two leaders also discussed the situation in the region, and the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to support all initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, an official statement said. William Hague arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a two-day visit, a few weeks after British Prime Minister David Cameron paid visit to Pakistan. The two leaders discussed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction at the direction and trajectory of the relationship, the statement said. They noted that the visit last month of Prime Minister David Cameron sent the right message for an enduring partnership between the two countries. Hague expressed full support for all the initiatives and reaffirmed British friendship for Pakistan and Britain's desire to contribute to Pakistan's development and prosperity, the PM office said. The Prime Minister also requested Britain's continued support for Pakistan's efforts to secure Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) plus status with the European Union.