British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and visiting Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said Tuesday that both countries would continue their cooperation in combating violent extremism.
"UK and Pakistan had a shared agenda in tackling violent extremism in both countries. They noted that there was a particularly acute problem with extremism emanating from the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region," the two leaders said in a joint statement after talks at No. 10 Downing Street.
"This had an impact on Pakistan as much as anywhere else, but was also impacting on UK forces in Afghanistan," said the statement.
It was the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan who suffered most directly from such extremism, it said, adding that Pakistan and Afghanistan should lead the efforts to combat this extremism, with the support of the international community.
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown (L) greets Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, outside 10 Downing Street in central London on September 16, 2008. In the statement, both leaders welcomed the "on-going collaboration" between Britain and Pakistan to tackle violent extremism and radicalization, and agreed to "enhance this cooperation in support of a comprehensive approach by the Government of Pakistan."
They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, defense, health and education.
Brown congratulated Zardari on his election, seeing this as a significant step in Pakistan's democratic transition. They said "a stable and strong democracy" in Pakistan would play an important role in promoting peace in the region.
Brown and Zardari, who is in London for a private visit, also discussed the bilateral relationship, as well as regional and international issues.
Source:Xinhua
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