Pakistan's president Musharraf to visit NZ

Pervez Musharraf

Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf will visit New Zealand next month, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today.

The June 17-19 visit would be the first bilateral visit by a president of Pakistan.

"Under president Musharraf, Pakistan has played an important role in global counter-terrorism," Miss Clark said at a press conference.

"In addition, the president's support for improved relations with India has helped to ease tensions between these two neighbours over the past year. New Zealand strongly supports this peace process."

Miss Clark said she looked forward to exchanging view with president Musharraf on these and other regional and international issues, including Commonwealth matters, nuclear non-proliferation and counter-proliferation, and United Nations reform.

"Pakistan was re-admitted to the Commonwealth a year ago in the expectation that it would continue to move down the path of democracy.

"President Musharraf's leadership has brought stability to Pakistan. New Zealand continues to encourage Pakistan to take all necessary steps to strengthen its democratic processes and institutions," Miss Clark said.

Two-way trade with Pakistan was $92 million in the year to June 2004.

Miss Clark said an information and communications technology mission would visit Pakistan later this month to explore opportunities in the telecommunications, broadcasting and banking sectors.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasure is in Wellington ahead of the presidential visit, and today met Foreign Minister Phil Goff.

- NZPA