Islamabad: In the first high-level interaction between the US and Pakistan after President George W Bush's re-election, American Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage today (Nov 9, 2004) promised to continue close cooperation with Islamabad and expressed satisfaction over the progress in the Indo-Pak peace process.

Armitage, currently on a visit to Islamabad, held talks with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokar and expressed satisfaction over the continuing engagement between Pakistan and India, a Foreign Office statement in Islamabad said.

Khokhar briefed Armitage on the progress so far in the Pak-India dialogue process and the efforts to resolve all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

Armitage, who was accompanied by US Assistant Secretary Christina Rocca, also promised to continue close bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.

"The US is looking at ways to accelerate its interaction with Pakistan," the statement quoted him as telling Khokhar.

Armitage told Khokhar about US perspective and assessment on emerging trends in the Middle East as well as the security situation prevalent in Iraq.

In their delegation-level discussions, Khokhar and Armitage covered the whole spectrum of bilateral relations and reviewed regional and international issues of mutual interest, the statement said.

"Both sides agreed that after successful Presidential election in Afghanistan, the priorities for that country were economic development and reconstruction. Both Pakistan and the US would be supportive in the achievement of these goals," it said.

Armitage and Khokhar underlined that Pakistan and the US, as coalition partners, would continue to cooperate in the war against terrorism.

Khokhar also stressed that Pakistan was keen to promote a solid, broad-based and long-term relationship with the US, encompassing cooperation in the areas of investment, trade and Defence.

Armitage also met Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and is scheduled to hold talks with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.