Classification: NATO
UNCLASSIFIED (Releasable for Internet Transmission)
NATO PARLIAMENTARIANS VISIT PAKISTAN
A delegation of the NATO PAÂ’s Political Committee visited
Pakistan on 14-18 March on a fact-finding mission to learn about PakistanÂ’s
security issues, including the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan. This
was the first visit ever of a NATO PA delegation to the
country.
The legislators, led by Karl A. Lamers (Germany),
Vice President of the NATO PA, held discussions with senior officials of the
Pakistani government, including Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the
Minister of Foreign Minister, Kurshid Mehmood Kasuri, as well as and with
the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff of the Pakistani Armed Forces, Gen.
Ehsan ul Haq. The 8-strong Assembly delegation also met with
Mohammeddmian Soomro, Chairman of Pakistan Senate, Mushahid
Hussain Sayed, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs,
as well as with other members of the Committee, and was briefed by independent
Pakistani security experts.
During the visit, both sides
emphasised that Pakistan and NATO share a number of security concerns and common
interests and that Pakistan has a fundamental interest in peace and stability in
Afghanistan. NATO Parliamentarians also said that it was important to
strengthen PakistanÂ’s role as an ally against internationally active terrorist
groups. Pakistani interlocutors thanked the legislators for NATOÂ’s
assistance in earthquake relief operations in the aftermath of the devastating
earthquake in northern Pakistan and Kashmir.
Background
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, founded in 1955
with a Brussels-based secretariat,
brings together 248 national
parliamentarians from the 26 NATO countries.
In addition, 13 associate
delegations from Central and Eastern Europe, Ukraine and Russia;
4
Mediterranean Associate delegations: Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, Israel
and
8 Parliamentary Observer delegations participate in Assembly activities and
meetings.
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Roberta
Calorio
Rose-Roth
Seminar and Media Relations co-ordinator
Executive Office
NATO Parliamentary
Assembly
International Secretariat
Place du Petit Sablon 3
1000
Brussels
Belgium
' +32 2 504 8154 (Direct Line)
' +32 2 513 2865
(Switchboard)
1 +32 2 514 1847
*
rcalorio@nato-pa.int
Website: www.nato-pa.int
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