ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Dr Sheikh Muhammad Sabah bin Salem Al Sabah called on President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Friday and held discussions centring on bilateral relations , regional and international issues, situation in Iraq and the Middle East, composite dialogue with India, counter-terrorism and the Organization of Islamic Conference.

President Musharraf warmly welcomed the visiting dignitary. The president said that Pakistan and Kuwait enjoyed close and cordial relations. He said that the two countries were linked together by common Islamic heritage and shared common views on many international issues.

The president mentioned that Pakistan's relations with Kuwait were nourished by mutual trust and confidence and these relations had cultural, economic and political basis.

The president said that signing of the agreement between the two countries and that with the GCC would introduce greater warmth and vitality in these relations. He said Kuwait was an important Middle Eastern country and its strategic location in the region had enhanced its significance manifold.

The president said that Sheikh Al Sabah's visit had provided a good opportunity to solidify already excellent bilateral relations. The Kuwaiti foreign minister, who visited Pakistan from Aug 26 to 27 2004, praised the leadership of Gen Pervez Musharraf and his initiative of Enlightened Moderation.

He also appreciated Pakistan's active role in the international coalition's campaign against terrorism and President Musharraf's commitment to eradicate this menace from the world scene.

Sheikh Al-Sabah considered progress in Pakistan-India relations as a positive development for the region and reiterated his country's position that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with UNSC resolutions.

Citing the presence of about 1000,000 Pakistanis in Kuwait, the foreign minister appreciated their role in the development of modern Kuwait. He said Kuwaiti investors had been doing good business in Pakistan over the last many years. In this regard, he appreciated the government's investor-friendly policies. -APP