U.S. defense chief calls for deepening anti-terror cooperation with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis told Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday that his visit aimed at finding common grounds in order to create a positive, consistent and long-term relationship with Pakistan, according to Pakistani Prime Minister's Office.

Mattis paid a day-long visit here for talks on security issues that focused on anti-terror cooperation and peace in Afghanistan.

The office said in a statement that Mattis emphasized that in view of his long association with Pakistan, he was "keenly aware of the sacrifices rendered and the lives lost in Pakistan's fight against terrorism and extremism; and his personal respect and appreciation for the professional abilities of Pakistan's armed forces."

He also underscored the "importance of continuing and deepening cooperation for the common objective of eliminating terrorism from the region, according to the statement.

Abbasi, for his part, underlined the need for a broad based engagement to strengthen partnership and enhance cooperation between the two countries, adding that no other country benefits more from peace and stability in Afghanistan than Pakistan.

"He agreed with Secretary Mattis that both Pakistan and the U.S. have common stakes in securing peace and security in Afghanistan for the long term stability of the broader region," the statement further said.

The prime minister vowed that Pakistan, in its national interest, would continue to conduct intelligence based operations all over the country to consolidate the gains achieved in the last four years, reiterating that there are no safe havens in Pakistan and the entire nation was committed to its resolve on eradicating terrorism in all forms. Enditem