A NATO delegation has met Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and discussed matters of mutual interests, an official statement said here today. NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Minuto Rizzo led the delegation. The prime minister recalled his recent visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels and informed the delegation that Pakistan seeks cooperation and good relations with NATO. He lauded the role being played by NATO forces in Afghanistan, which are working under the Turkish command. Pakistan, Aziz said, is in an anchor of peace and stability in the region. The prime minister said Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoy close economic, political and diplomatic relations both on a personal level between leaders of the two countries as well as its people who are linked with ties of history and culture. Aziz said Pakistan desires political and economic stability in Afghanistan since it is critical to the security of the region. Ambassador Rizzo informed the prime minister that this was his first visit to Pakistan and part of the ongoing process to define a new role for NATO after the cold war. He expressed the desire to explore avenues of cooperation with Pakistan, as NATO wants to work as partners in promoting peace. The prime minister expressed the hope that there shall be further exchanges between Pakistan and NATO and that both sides would explore avenues of cooperation including training facilities for a mutually beneficial relationship.
