Nato and Pakistan seek to boost non-military ties
Measures could include high-level exchanges and parliamentary visits, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said after meeting Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters.
"Cooperation should not remain confined to only terrorism and extremism," Mr Gilani told a joint press conference, referring to the fight against militants in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area.
“We have to look beyond that so that we can work together in future as well... there should be more cooperation with the parliamentarians.. and with high-level exchange of visits,” he added.
“It has to be a process that is demand driven,” said Mr Rasmussen, adding: “We have already started military-to-military cooperation and we stand ready to further develop that.”
But “we should expand the political dialogue, personally I attach a lot of importance to dialogue with the parliaments,” he added, echoing his Pakistani guest.
Mr Rasmussen said Pakistan should define the area where the Nato alliance could offer its support.
Nato and Pakistan have been fighting militants in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region. Both said they were ready to continue the military efforts.
Mr Rasmussen underlined that “Nato will stay in Afghanistan as long as it takes to finish our job. There should be no misunderstanding about that.
“We count on Pakistan as a partner and we will be a partner to Pakistan as well.”
Address to council: Mr Gilani addressed the North Atlantic Council and raised
Indias Pakistan-specific military doctrines such as the Cold Start. He urged Nato to take active interest in South Asian security.
“We remain concerned over Pakistan-specific Indian military doctrines such as the Cold Start envisaging a limited conventional war under the nuclear over-hang; huge increase in Indian military budget and massive weapon acquisitions.—Agencies
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect...stan-seek-to-boost-nonmilitary-ties-560-sk-08