ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador Richard Olson met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday to discuss the upcoming ministerial meeting of the bilateral Strategic Dialogue.

The United States and Pakistan would hold the ministerial meeting of their bilateral Strategic Dialogue on Jan 14. US Secretary of State John Kerry would visit Islamabad for the meeting.

“Matters relating to Pak-US relations, with particular reference to the upcoming expected visit of United States Secretary of State Mr John Kerry, came under discussion,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

A source at the US embassy confirmed the meeting and said it was meant for exchange of views on the strategic dialogue.

The United States and Pakistan will hold a ministerial meeting on Jan 14

This would be the second ministerial level meeting since the dialogue resumed in 2013.

The dialogue currently covers five areas of bilateral cooperation which are discussed through working groups namely energy; security, strategic stability and non-proliferation; defence consultative group; law-enforcement and counter-terrorism; and economy and finance.

The working group on counter-terrorism is yet to meet. The group on law-enforcement and counterterrorism is expected to meet before the ministerial meeting.

While the thrust of the dialogue would be on taking the bilateral relationship forward, the two sides at the ministerial meeting to be co-chaired by Secretary Kerry and Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz would discuss implementation of plan to promote trade and cooperation in energy sector, specifically Dassu and Diamer-Bhasha dam projects, and holding of a business opportunity week in Islamabad in March.

The two sides would also discuss developments in Afghanistan, where the US has entered a new phase after completion of the Isaf mandate and the beginning of a new Resolute Support Mission, which focuses on training, advising and assisting Afghan defence and security forces.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2015

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