ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and the US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Tuesday dis-cussed the flood-caused destruction in Pakistan and reconstruction of the affected areas.
During the conversation, Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Bhutto Zardari “shared their mutual hope for a pro-ductive International Confer-ence on Climate Resilient Pakistan in January and discussed the need for close coordina-tion,” according to the US State Department.
Secretary Blinken offered condolences for lives lost in recent terrorist attacks and underscored the United States’ res-olute support for Pakistan as it combatted terrorism.
Foreign Minister Bilawal conveyed gratitude of the Government of Pakistan for USG’s flood assistance of $97 million.
He expressed the resolve that the two countries would continue mutual cooperation for rebuilding resilient infrastruc-ture in Pakistan.
Both the countries would also keep up cooperation to further enhance and diversify bilateral relations and to work together for regional peace and stability, he added.
“Spoke with Secretary Blinken conveyed gratitude of GoP for USG’s flood assist. of $97 m. Will continue coop. for re-building resilient infrastruc-ture in Pakistan & to further enhance & diversify bilateral relations & to work together for regional peace & stability,” Foreign Minister Bilawal wrote on Twitter.
Secretary Blinken also took to Twitter about his discussion with Bilawal to “express our continued support for the peo-ple of Pakistan as they re-cover from devastating floods.”
“I hope for a productive climate conference next month and give my condolences for the lives lost in recent terrorist attacks,” he said on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a meeting with Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Samantha Power has discussed the long-term cooperation for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Pakistan’s flood-affected areas.
“Had a productive meeting with USAID Administrator. Thanked for her leadership in galvanizing support for flood re-lief,” he said in a tweet fol-lowing the meeting.
The foreign minister appreciated the United Nations Secretary-General’s humanitarian assistance of $97 million. –Agencies
