Australian Foreign Minister visits Pakistan

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-17-2009 10:22

Australian Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, has arrived in Islamabad for talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Smith's three-day tour will also include meetings with Pakistani President, Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister, Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, and Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi (L) shakes hands with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith at the foreign ministry in Islamabad February 16, 2009.REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood

Smith says he will use the meetings to reinforce Australia's commitment to helping Pakistan tackle the security, economic, and social challenges it faces.

Smith is also urging more efforts in the fight against the resurgent al-Qaida and Taliban forces in Pakistan's border regions.

Both organizations are seen as a threat to the 11-hundred Australian troops deployed in neighboring Afghanistan.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei