No compromise on national interests during talks with US: Sartaj Aziz

LAHORE (Web Desk) – Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has told United States not to be a reason for disparity in the region, saying that that national interest and security will never be compromised.

In an interview with BBC, he said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is visiting the US next week and will discuss the relations with India, opportunities for investment and trade in Pakistan and peace in Afghanistan with the US officials.

Aziz said there will be no compromise on national interests during talks with the United States.

Sartaj Aziz said the two sides will discuss cooperation in defence field. He said Pakistan wants to promote economic ties with the United States.

To a question the Advisor said the situation in Afghanistan will also come under discussion. He said

Pakistan is willing to facilitate holding of second round of peace talks between Afghan Government and Taliban if Afghan Government so desired.

He said that India may have any kind of relations with the US but in a situation when the relations between India and Pakistan are quite tense, the US should abstain from fueling the strategic and traditional imbalance in the region to a point where it becomes a threat to regional security.

Responding to a question over US’s role in Pak-India relations, Sartaj Aziz said that all the countries in the world, including the US, want both the countries to resolve their issues through talks but it is a basic prerequisite for the talks that the imbalance in the region doesn’t rise.

After the rejection of any chances of an immediate civil-nuclear deal with Pakistan by the US officials and their renewed interest in the security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets just ahead of PM’s US visit, Sartaj Aziz said that the issue is under discussion for a long time and the international community is quite satisfied with the security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets.

He said that Pakistan’s top priority is its national interest and national security. “No compromise in this regard can be expected”, said Aziz.

“As far as inclusion of Pakistan in the mainstream global nuclear club is concerned, we are already working on it”, said Aziz.

He expressed hope that Pakistan and India would both be made members of the nuclear suppliers’ group together.

Talking about elongated stay of the US forces in Afghanistan, Aziz said that Pakistan would welcome any action aimed at bringing stability to Afghanistan.

He said that the US president has hinted at his readiness to discuss peace in Afghanistan but the decision making power in this regard lies with the Afghan government.

“If Afghan government would want Pakistan to be part of the peace process, Pakistan will be glad to extend cooperation”, he said.