ISLAMABAD, Dec 21: Pakistan on Thursday welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement regarding his vision for a treaty of peace, security and friendship.

“It is a positive response to the efforts made by President Pervez Musharraf to resolve outstanding issues between Pakistan and India and establish peace and security in the region,” Foreign Office spokesperson said.

She said: “The Indian prime minister has welcomed president’s ideas and talked about the need for discussing issues with an open mind.” Pakistan had always emphasised the need for a reciprocal flexibility, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson did not offer any comment when asked if the signing of a peace treaty with India was possible before the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.—Q.A.