    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [March 4, 2006]
    [Pages 404-407]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement by President George W. Bush and President Pervez
    Musharraf of Pakistan: United States-
    Pakistan Strategic Partnership
    March 4, 2006

        President Bush and President Musharraf have affirmed the long-term,
    strategic partnership between their two countries. In 2004, the United
    States acknowledged its aspirations for closer bilateral ties with
    Pakistan by designating Pakistan as a Major Non-NATO Ally. The U.S.-
    Pakistan strategic partnership is based on the shared interests of the
    United States and Pakistan in building stable and sustainable democracy
    and in promoting peace and security, stability, prosperity, and
    democracy in South Asia and across the globe.
        The two leaders are determined to strengthen the foundation for a
    strong, stable, and enduring relationship. This will require a
    significant expansion of U.S.-Pakistan bilateral economic ties,
    including mutual trade and investment. As a key step in this direction
    the United States and Pakistan are making meaningful progress toward
    concluding a Bilateral Investment Treaty.
        Both leaders commit to working together with Afghanistan to make
    Pakistan and Afghanistan a land bridge linking the economic potentials
    of South Asia and Central Asia.
        The American people feel profound sympathy for the victims of the
    tragic earthquake that struck on October 8, 2005. President Bush
    reaffirmed the United States' determination to stand by the Pakistani
    people as they recover and rebuild.
        President Bush and President Musharraf reaffirm their condemnation
    of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Following the
    September 11 attacks, the United States and Pakistan joined
    international efforts to fight the scourge of terrorism. President Bush
    is grateful for President Musharraf's strong and vital support in the

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    war on terror. The two leaders underscored the need for a comprehensive
    strategy for addressing the threat of terrorism and extremism. President
    Bush and President Musharraf will continue to work together to address
    political injustice, poverty, corruption, ignorance, and hopelessness.
    They resolve to maintain their close counterterrorism cooperation and to
    increase their efforts to reduce the threat of terrorism regionally and
    internationally.
        The two leaders recognize the need to promote tolerance, respect and
    mutual understanding, and inter-faith harmony to strengthen appreciation
    of the values and norms common to the world's religions and cultures.
    The two leaders acknowledge with appreciation the various international
    initiatives in this regard including President Musharraf's concept of
    Enlightened Moderation. The two leaders agreed that acts that disturb
    inter-faith harmony should be avoided.
        President Bush and President Musharraf support the peace process and
    composite dialogue between Pakistan and India for improvement of
    relations and resolution of disputes and building a better future in
    South Asia.
        Both leaders share concern about the threat to global stability
    posed by the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and the
    threat of terrorist groups acquiring such weapons. President Bush and
    President Musharraf commit to play leading roles in international
    efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD, their delivery systems, and
    related technology and expertise.

    Strategic Dialogue

        President Bush and President Musharraf are launching a Strategic
    Dialogue under the Strategic Partnership. The Dialogue will be co-
    chaired by the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political
    Affairs and Pakistan's Foreign
    Secretary. They will meet regularly
    to review issues of mutual interest.
        In implementation of the strategic partnership, President Bush and
    President Musharraf commit both countries to undertake the following
    steps in the areas of economic growth and prosperity, energy, peace and
    security, social sector development, science and technology, democracy,
    and non-proliferation:

    Economic Growth and Prosperity

         Establish and implement strong financial sector controls
                that can defend against illicit finance.
         Facilitate Pakistan's economic growth through increased
                trade and investment links with the United States and within
                the region and the global economy, including through an
                enhanced economic dialogue encompassing bilateral
                cooperation for Pakistan's economic development, regional
                economic cooperation, and the global economy.
         The United States will provide financial support for the
                establishment of a Center for Entrepreneurship in Pakistan
                under the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA)
                Initiative. The Center will promote entrepreneurial training
                and skills development to young women and men to launch
                business initiatives that would generate employment
                opportunities.

    Energy Cooperation

         Hold a High-Level Energy Meeting to inaugurate an energy
                working group, which will explore ways to meet Pakistan's
                growing energy needs and strengthen its energy security.
         Work together to develop public and private collaboration
                on a broad range of energy sources.

    Peace and Security

         Build a robust defense relationship that advances shared
                security goals, promotes regional stability, and contributes
                to international security.

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         Continue robust U.S. security assistance to meet Pakistan's
                legitimate defense needs and bolster its capabilities in the
                war on terror.
         Deepen bilateral collaboration in the fields of defense
                training, joint exercises, defense procurement, technology
                transfers, and international peacekeeping.
         Decide to increase the frequency of defense policy
                discussions to strengthen collaboration in the identified
                sectors.
         Work together to ensure the maintenance of peace, security,
                and stability in the South Asia region and beyond.
         Cooperate closely in international institutions, including
                bodies of the United Nations, on matters of mutual concern.

    Social Sector Development

         Continue U.S. support in the health sector through
                collaborative projects and programs.
         Reinforce Pakistan's efforts to reform and expand access to
                its public education through continuing U.S. cooperation.
         Encourage educational programs and greater interaction and
                linkages between the research and academic institutions of
                the two countries.
         Promote exchange of students and scholars, fellowship
                programs, and strengthened research collaboration, including
                through institutional support for higher education and
                training.
         Establish a wide-ranging High Level Dialogue on Education
                to enhance and strengthen cooperation in the education
                sector.

    Science and Technology

         Build capacity in Pakistan and work toward increased
                cooperation in science, technology, and engineering.
         Improve the quality, relevance, or capacity of  education
                and research at
                 Pakistan's institutions of higher education in the field of
                science and technology.
         Establish Pakistan-U.S. Joint Committee on Science and
                Technology to develop collaborative activities and
                relationships between the scientific and technological
                communities and institutions of both countries.
         Enhance institutional capacity of Pakistan in the area of
                environment through exchange of experts and developing
                linkages and collaborative projects with relevant U.S.
                institutions.

    Democracy

         Support Pakistan as it develops strong and transparent
                democratic institutions and conducts free and fair elections
                to ensure sustainable democracy.

    Non-proliferation

         Support Pakistan's non-proliferation efforts and strengthen
                its capabilities, by:
             Supporting Pakistan's measures for implementation of its new
                export control law, including adoption of enforcement
                regulations and establishment of a new export licensing
                body; and
             Providing U.S. assistance through the Department of Energy's
                Second Line of Defense Program (Megaports) and the
                Department of Homeland Security's Container Security
                Initiative.

    Presidential Visit

         President Bush thanked President Musharraf and the people
                of Pakistan for the generous reception and warm hospitality
                accorded to him, Mrs. Laura Bush, and
                members of the Presidential delegation during their stay in
                Pakistan.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.

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