December 29, 2006	Friday	Zilhaj 07, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD Dec 28: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has stressed the need for an early resolution to the Palestinian issue in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Palestine and said sustainable peace in the Middle East was not possible without the resolution of this long-standing issue.

The prime minister was talking to Farouk Kasrawi, Special Adviser to the King of Jordan, who called on him here on Thursday. The prime minister said Pakistan has been consistently supporting the just struggle of the people of Palestine and stressed on the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to play a more active role for the resolution of the issue, adding that the leadership has to come from within the region.

Expressing his concern about situation in Iraq, he said Pakistan supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and desires to see peace and stability there.

Mr Aziz said Pakistan greatly values its relationship with Jordan and is keen to further expand and strengthen the multifaceted cooperation in diplomatic, political, economic, social, cultural, defence and security fields.

The prime minister said there is tremendous scope for strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in view of the fact that Pakistan and Jordan are bound in ties of shared faith, culture and values and historically have enjoyed close and brotherly relations.

Prospects of increasing economic cooperation between the G-11 member countries (of which Pakistan and Jordan are founding members) and with other economic blocs came under discussion.

The prime minister said developing countries need to reduce their dependence on aid and focus more on increasing trade.

The leadership in these countries should focus on introducing necessary reforms, improving governance, increasing trade, getting better market access and improving their productivity and competitiveness.

“Developing countries must show courage, resolve, will, managerial skills and leadership to accelerate growth, provide a better living standard and should focus more on trade than aid,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister said that the G-11 countries need to leverage their strengths to secure enhanced market access through fair trade, increased overseas development assistance flows and access to technology.

He, however, said the countries that show the will to reform and move on must be supported through financial and technical assistance by the international community and added that Pakistan's economic successes deserved encouragement and support of the international community.

Mr Farouk Kasrawi said Jordan attaches great value to its relations with Pakistan and desires to further strengthen the trade and economic ties between the two countries.

He said the member countries of G-11 are facing similar challenges and Jordan is actively working to promote greater development cooperation and dialogue within the group as well as with other economic blocs to accelerate their economic growth and development.