BEIJING, Oct 25: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said Pakistan received “very positive response” from world leaders on multi-dimensional challenges, including combating terrorism and overcoming the financial crisis in the wake of the global economic recession.

Prime Minister Gilani said he met several leaders on the sideline of the two-day Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), including Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh, German Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel, Japanese Prime Minister Aso Taro, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Vice-Prime Minister of Czech Republic Alexandr Vondra.

Earlier, Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping termed President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to China successful and said that it pushed forward strategic partnership between the two countries.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Gilani, he said President Zardari’s visit produced solid results, deepening bilateral relationship and cooperation at all levels.

Referring to agreements signed during the visit, he said these were important documents and hoped they would boost the socio-economic partnership.

Mr Xi, who is likely to be China’s future president and head of the Communist Party, also said that the joint statement issued at the end of the visit was important.

Prime Minister Gilani said that people of the two countries attached great importance to bilateral ties. He welcomed Pakistan’s formal entry into ASEM and hoped that it would have significant contribution towards the objectives of the organisation.

Talking to APP after the meeting, Mr Gilani said that he held useful meeting with the Chinese leader and invited him to visit Pakistan.

Vice-President Xi accepted the invitation.

Later, the prime minister also had a meeting with Jia Qingling, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

They discussed the possibility of strengthening the cooperation at the level of the two parliaments.

He expressed his confidence that the world community, including Chinese friends, would support Pakistan in its efforts to promote regional peace, security and development.

Referring to his talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao and Vice-President Xi Jinping, the prime minister said they had assured him of their support to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. China, he said, would continue helping Pakistan in defence, economy and trade sectors.

He said that Pakistan’s joining of ASEM as full dialogue partner “is a big honour”.

In his address at the summit, he said he briefed about Pakistan’s resolve and the government’s consistent efforts to curb terrorism.

The world, he said, “has a better understanding now of challenges and difficulties being faced by Pakistan and is willing to help us at this crucial time”.

Highlighting Pakistan’s problems, he said a large number of Afghan refugees were still living in Pakistan along the country’s 2,400-kilometre-long border. “We have numerous responsibilities,” he said, adding that because of illegal cross-border activities, “we have also been facing difficulties.”

The international community, he emphasized, should also realize that Pakistan had suffered a lot because of its role as global peace, progress and prosperity.—APP