MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Smith
I met Foreign Minister Qureshi of Pakistan in Islamabad on Monday 16 February.
Earlier on Monday I travelled to Peshawar and the Khyber Agency to receive detailed briefings on Pakistan's efforts to combat militants in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.
Mr Qureshi and I discussed expanding our bilateral relationship, including enhanced economic links and ways in which Australia can assist Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism.
I informed Mr Qureshi that Australia would substantially increase development assistance to Pakistan, focusing on health, education and governance.
Australia will contribute $5.2 million to support a new phase in the Fred Hollows Pakistan-Australia Sub-Specialty Eye Care Project.
Australia recognises the importance of democratic institutions, government accountability and transparency in Pakistan. Australia will contribute $2.9 million to build community participation through the Strengthening Participatory Organisations program.
Australia is providing ongoing assistance on irrigation management in the mango and citrus and dairy sectors, through the Agriculture Sector Linkages Program. These programs will be extended until 2011.
Our trade and investment relationship in the area of agri-business will be boosted by a project valued at $100,000 to deepen the business and science links between our two countries.
Defence cooperation between Australian and Pakistan has increased in recent years. This year, Australia will increase four-fold to more than 40 training programs offered to Pakistani security and defence personnel.
Mr Qureshi and I welcomed forthcoming talks between Chiefs of our Defence Forces.
Australia will continue to support Pakistan as a country of first refuge for the large displaced Afghan population on the Afghan-Pakistan border.
Mr Qureshi and I discussed the importance of Pakistan taking determined steps to dismantle extremist networks. This is important for Pakistan's security as well as the security of the South Asian region, including in Afghanistan where Australia has nearly 1100 troops.
Australia is committed to strengthening Pakistan's ability to combat terrorism, narcotics, people-smuggling and money-laundering in concrete ways.
Australia will assist Pakistan to counter terrorist financing through the provision of technical assistance and training to Pakistan's Financial Intelligence Unit.
Mr Qureshi and I also signalled that Australia and Pakistan would finalise shortly MOUs on police cooperation and counter-narcotics.
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