The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday thanked the Foreign Secretary of United Kingdom for the assistance provided by the British Government and public for the flood victims of Pakistan.The Foreign Minister held a meeting with the Foreign Secretary of United Kingdom William Hague on the sidelines of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
He underlined that this support was an indication that the bilateral relationship between the two countries went beyond the government level and needed to be built upon.The Foreign Minister also appreciated the leading role played by UK in facilitating discussions within EU for provision of trade concessions, says a message received here Saturday.On the flood situation in Pakistan, the Foreign Minister informed his British counterpart that the government was now moving into the early recovery phase in which priority was being given to agriculture and in particular the upcoming wheat crop. Simultaneously, the government had initiated the process for damage needs assessment which was expected to be completed before the upcoming meeting of the Friends of the Democratic Pakistan in Brussels. The government had also created the National Oversight Disaster Management Council consisting of respectable persons to address the issue of transparency.
The British Foreign Secretary assured the Foreign Minister of UK’s continued support in meeting the challenges posed by the recent floods.In this regard, UK would lobby with other countries for
providing flood assistance and trade concessions to Pakistan. He said that he would attend the October meeting of FODP in Brussels.
providing flood assistance and trade concessions to Pakistan. He said that he would attend the October meeting of FODP in Brussels.
