January 15, 2008	Tuesday	Muharram 05, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Jan 14: Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Monday that the Norwegian government had condemned the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and expressed condolences over her untimely death.

Talking to caretaker prime minister Mohammedmian Soomro here, the Norwegian foreign minister appreciated the steps taken by the government to ensure peace and stability in the region and extended his government’s support to Pakistan in its campaign against terrorism, says an official handout.

Mr Soomro said Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Norway and wanted to strengthen cooperation in all fields, especially trade for which there was great potential.

Mr Soomro expressed the hope that relations between the two countries would to continue to grow. Mr Soomro said the caretaker government’s mandate was to hold free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections and it would take all possible measures to meet this obligation.

He said that international observers, including Norwegians, were welcome to monitor the election process.

Talking about the regional situation, Mr Soomro said that Pakistan’s unique geo-strategic location posed both challenges and opportunities.Terming terrorism as a serious threat to peace, progress and prosperity of the world, he said that as a frontline state in the fight against terrorism Pakistan itself was a victim of terrorism and rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, adding that the international community needed to play a more effective role in this respect.