Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf yesterday (Oct 10, 2004) expressed reservation over increasing the number of permanent members on the UN Security Council (UNSC).

Addressing a joint press conference with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Musharraf said Pakistan has a "principled stand" opposing the expansion of UN Security Council.

"We feel that increasing the number of permanent members of the UN Security Council is against the democratic considerations of the sovereign equality of nations," he said when asked whether Pakistan supported Germany's bid for a permanent membership.

The Government and the people of Pakistan hold Germany and Chancellor Schroeder in highest esteem, Musharraf said adding the Chancellor "understands" that Pakistan has a principled position on the issue of enlargement of UN Security Council.

Pakistan opposed to the expansion of the UNSC permanent seat while India, Germany, Japan and Brazil jointly bid for it.

Musharraf and Schroeder met exclusively for half an hour and later joined by their delegations. Earlier the two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation.

During the talks, Musharraf briefed Schroeder on Pakistan's relations with India in the context of the confidence building measures (CBMs) and composite dialogue process for resolving all outstanding disputes including Jammu and Kashmir.

Musharraf also spoke about the "optimistic feeling and the country's sincerity" to pursue peace through resolution of all issues.