WASHINGTON (AA) – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Wednesday emphasized the importance of US-Pakistani counterterrorism cooperation, while calling on the Obama administration to cease its drone strike operations.
“I also brought up the issue of drones in our meeting, emphasizing the need for an end to such strikes,” said Sharif after meeting with President Obama at the White House.
He also stated that the US and Pakistan have agreed to strengthen their counterterrorism efforts.
Obama remaked that cooperation was important, saying, “We talked about security and the concerns that both of us had about senseless violence, terrorism and extremism. And we agreed that we need to continue to find constructive ways to partner together, ways that respect Pakistan's sovereignty, that respect the concerns of both countries.”
The American President further stated that he was “optimistic” that the US and Pakistan could improve their counterterrorism efforts despite obstacles.
He added, “It's a challenge, it's not easy and we are committed to working together and making sure that rather than this being a source of tension between our two countries, that it can be a source of strength for us working together in a constructive and respectful way.”
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