Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi met with the Deputy Secretary of State, Toney Blinken at the Department of State

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi met with the Deputy Secretary of State, Toney Blinken at the Department of State

The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Syed Tariq Fatemi met the Deputy Secretary of State, Toney Blinken in the Department of State today. Ambassador of Pakistan to the US, Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani, accompanied him, whereas Mr. Dan Feldman Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan assisted Mr. Blinken.

The Special Assistant and the Deputy Secretary reviewed the state of bilateral relationship and expressed satisfaction over its growing momentum and positive trajectory. In this regard, they acknowledged that high level interactions between the leadership of the two countries have contributed significantly in strengthening bilateral cooperation on economy, regional stability, and countering extremism and terrorism.

The Special Assistant briefed the Deputy Secretary of State on the Prime Minister’s consistent policy of outreach to Pakistan’s neighbours and his commitment to maintaining cordial relations with all its neighbors, including Afghanistan and India. He also apprised the Deputy Secretary of State of the steps taken by the Government over the last two years to implement its economic agenda, while highlighting the progress made in achieving economic stability and investor confidence.

Mr. Fatemi also briefed the Deputy Secretary of State about the ongoing law enforcement operations in FATA aimed at securing Pakistani soil from all militants. He thanked the US for its continued support to Pakistan for its political and economic stability and its efforts to bring regional peace and harmony.

Deputy Secretary Blinken appreciated Pakistan’s stabilizing role in the region. He also lauded the Prime Minister’s efforts to reach out to Pakistan’s neighbors and hoped that his initiatives would help bring peace and prosperity to the region. Mr. Blinken assured the Special Assistant of continued US engagement with the region. He also reiterated US support to Prime Minister’s economic development plans with special focus on energy and countering extremism and militancy. Pakistan’s role in facilitating the reconciliation process between Afghan government and the Taliban was also lauded by the US side.

July 20, 2015
Washington DC