[17/March/2010]

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Saba) -- The United States and Pakistan will hold their first ministerial level strategic dialogue in Washington next week, the State Department announced on Wednesday, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

"President Obama and Secretary Clinton have repeatedly stressed the breadth and depth of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship, a partnership that goes far beyond security.

The Strategic Dialogue represents the shared commitment of both nations to a strengthening the bilateral relationship and building an even broader partnership based on mutual respect and mutual trust", said the State Department in a statement.

This first Strategic Dialogue at the Ministerial level will be held in Washington on March 24 and will be co-chaired by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

"Topics for discussion will include economic development, water and energy, education, communications and public diplomacy, agriculture, and security. High-level officials from both governments will come to the table to discuss issues of common concern and shared responsibility," it noted.

Saba