Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Margherita Boniver has held discussions with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on wide-ranging issues, according to an official statement. They discussed the situation in Afghanistan, ongoing peace process with India, recent visit of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, UN reforms and the overall geo-political situation. Aziz said that Pakistan strives for peace in the region and said that South Asian Association for Regional Conference or SAARC will encourage better atmospherics in South Asia. The next SAARC Summit to be held in November this year in Dhaka will give impetus to regional economic cooperation, the prime minister said and added: "Our dialogue and confidence-building measures are improving relations with India." Pakistan, he said, believes that sustainable peace in South Asia will depend on addressing the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmir people. The prime minister also discussed Pakistan's offer to India of an energy corridor so that both countries can cooperate on gas purchase and transmission. This would be a win-win for all stakeholders, he said. Ms. Margherita Boniver appreciated Pakistan's role in being an anchor of peace and stability in the region and hoped that her visit will further strengthen existing relations between Pakistan and Italy.
