Sunday, August 21 2005 14:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Apparently united in opposing India and other G-4 countries' efforts to secure a permanent seat in an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Pakistan and Bangladesh yesterday (August 20, 2005) agreed to cooperate closely for the reform of the world body based on the 'principle of sovereign equality.'

The two countries agreed to work closely at the UN and other international and regional fora for the promotion of international peace and security and for reform of the UN System based on the principle of sovereign equality, a joint statement issued after the Annual Foreign Secretary-level Bilateral Consultations, said here.

Pakistan and Bangladesh principally oppose G-4 countries, India, Japan, Germany and Brazil's efforts to secure a permanent seat in the UNSC.

Talks were held between Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Riaz Mohammed Khan, and his Bangladesh counterpart, Hemayetuddin.

The joint statement said the two countries also expressed satisfaction over their 'excellent relations,' while agreeing on steps to further enhance these ties.

Hemayetuddin also met Pakistan Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz, who is the current Chairman of SAARC and extended an invitation to attend the regional grouping's meeting to be held in Dhaka in November 2005.

Islamabad reiterated its full support to Dhaka in this regard, it said.

Aziz said Pakistan looks forward to the SAARC Summit in Dhaka and assured full support to Bangladesh to make it a success, an official release here said.