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ISLAMABAD, May 16: Pres-ident Gen Pervez Musharraf will visit New Zealand on a three-day tour on June 17 to discuss counter terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation, Commonwealth and UN reforms and other issues, a Foreign Office statement said.
Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri is already in Wellington to finalize arrangements for the president’s visit.
He called on Prime Minister Helen Clark, who underscored the importance that New Zealand attached to its relations with Pakistan.
She appreciated the role Islamabad was playing in counter terrorism and admired the courage of President Musharraf in the war on terror. She also supported the initiative for improved relations with India.
Gen Musharraf’s visit would also strengthen bilateral relations, enhance trade and cooperation in education between the two countries, she said.
Mr Kasuri emphasized the need for strengthening high-level exchanges between the two countries.
He briefed Ms Clark on the progress in the dialogue process with India aimed at resolution of all outstanding issues including Kashmir, Pakistan’s commitment to the nuclear non-proliferation and United Nations Security Council reforms.
Mr Kasuri in his meeting with the New Zealand minister for foreign affairs and the agriculture minister covered a board spectrum of issues focusing on establishing sustainable mechanism to enhanced bilateral cooperation.
He said there was a great scope of cooperation in agriculture as well as joint ventures with Pakistani entrepreneurs.
Ms Clark accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan on a mutually convenient date next year and Foreign Minister Phill Goff accepted the invitation of Mr Kasuri to visit Pakistan in the near future.
Earlier in Australia, Mr Kasuri called on Prime Minister John Howard, Foreign Minster Alexander Downer, Defence Minister Robert Hill, Immigration Minister Amanda Vanston and Attorney-General Philip Ruddock.
He also met Pakistani community in Sydney.
This was the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Australia and New Zealand.
—APP
