ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri on Tuesday told the visiting British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Dr. Kim Howells, that despite the ongoing Indo-Pakistan peace process no substantive progress had been made on any major contentious issue.
Mr Howells called on Mr Kasuri at the Foreign Office here and discussed various issues, especially the Indo-Pakistan peace overtures.
During discussions on the ‘Composite Dialogue Process’ between India and Pakistan, the foreign minister stressed that the resolution of the Kashmir issue was most essential to ensure durable peace in the region, a Foreign Office statement said.
Mr Kasuri stressed the need for efforts aimed at addressing all outstanding issues and to reach a settlement on the Jammu and Kashmir issue which should be acceptable to the Kashmiri people, Pakistan and India.
Briefing the British minister on a number of CBMs agreed between the two countries, he mentioned the recent agreement to open five crossing points along the LoC for two-way movement of Kashmiris to raise their comfort level.
The two ministers also discussed all aspects of Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, Afghanistan and Iranian nuclear issue.
The foreign minister briefed Dr. Howells about the Iranian nuclear issue and reiterated Pakistan’s opposition to the use of coercive measures in the context of Iran to settle the problem.
His underlying message was that Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved within the framework of the IAEA and through negotiations. He also underlined Pakistan’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation.
The UK minister informed Mr Kasuri that the total British commitment towards earthquake relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction was to the tune of $220 million.
He also pointed out that $76 million were also donated by British charities, bringing the total to almost $300 million which was all in grant and donation. The foreign minister thanked the British government for its grant.
Mr Kasuri also sought relief for Pakistan in the form of greater market access to the EU, similar to the concessions given to the tsunami-affected countries.
He also emphasised that the anti-dumping duties imposed by the EU on Pakistani bed linen should be reviewed.
