Pakistan has stressed the need for a non-discriminatory approach by France towards cooperation in the civilian nuclear sector. Talking to a four-member delegation of the French Senate Commission for Foreign Affairs, Defense and Armed Forces, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri discussed a wide range of bilateral issues with a view to enhancing cooperation in different areas in Islamabad, according to an official statement. Former French Foreign Minister Senator Jean Francois-Poncet headed the delegation. Kasuri briefed the delegation about Pakistan's growing energy requirements in view of its rapid economic development. The foreign minister informed the French team about Pakistan's role as an anchor of peace and stability in the region. They exchanged views on various regional issues including Pakistan-India composite dialogue and Afghanistan. Kasuri said that a strong, stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of peace and stability in the region. He appraised the delegation of the dialogue process with India aimed at addressing all outstanding issues including the issue of Kashmir. Kasuri briefed the delegation about Pakistan's efforts in the fight against terrorism and stressed that a holistic approach by the international community would be required to defeat the menace of terrorism that would combine diplomatic and political efforts with economic cooperation to strengthen institutions of civil society. --MORE 12 01 Local Time 09 01 GMT
