ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Pakistan said on Thursday that Islamabad and Moscow had shared their perspectives on the nuclear proliferation-related issues at the talks held in Islamabad recently.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing, foreign office spokesman Masood Khan said Russia was a permanent member of the UN Security Council and an important member of the international community. Last year, he pointed out, Pakistan and Russia had developed a framework for strategic dialogue and cooperation.

Answering questions, the spokesman said Pakistan appreciated the efforts being made by China for peaceful reunification of Taiwan with the motherland. "China is playing an important role for the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the Asia Pacific region," he said, adding "Pakistan endorses the One China policy and considers Taiwan to be a part of Mainland China."

He said Pakistan had re-established contact with the interim Iraqi government and was in the process of identifying new areas of bilateral cooperation. He said Iraqi people were passing through a difficult phase in their history and there was a cycle of violence which must come to an end. "We wish people of Iraq well and pray that their sufferings come to an end."

Referring to the Commonwealth secretary-general's concern about President Pervez Musharraf's decision to retain his army post beyond Dec 31, the spokesman said: "The feedback that I have received suggests that he was misquoted." He said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would represent Pakistan at the Saarc summit.