Pakistan and Britain Monday called for diplomatic solution to the issue of Iran nuclear program.

The call was made by the visiting British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri at a joint news conference in Islamabad on Monday afternoon.

Kasuri said during his talks with Jack Straw, the British foreign secretary informed him about the ongoing dialogue between

Iran and three European Union members United Kingdom, France and Germany on the nuclear issue.

"Pakistan supports the current engagement between Iran and three EU countries to reach an amicable settlement," Kasuri said.

The British foreign secretary said three EU countries are working very closely in negotiations with Iran to try to bring it in full compliance of the Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and hoped for a diplomatic solution of the problem.

Asked about reports in the western media about nuclear non-proliferation in view of Pakistani nuclear scientist Qadeer Khan case, Straw said he did not raise the matter directly in the talks with Pakistani leaders.

He said Britain has substantial confidence in President Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan government the way they are dealing with the case.

Regarding this issue, Kasuri said Pakistan in its interaction with the United States, United Kingdom and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is keeping them aware on this issue.

"The United States has on many occasions expressed its appreciation for the support, which Pakistan has given on the nuclear issue," the Pakistani foreign minister said.

Pakistan strongly believes in nuclear non-proliferation, he said, adding Pakistan acted on this issue in a credible manner and will continue to cooperate.

Concerning Pak-India relations, the British foreign secretary said his country welcomed the continuous progress and actively support for the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India for a resolution of all disputes including Kashmir issue.

Straw said they wish both the countries success in this progress.

To another question, Straw said he agreed that there are frustrations due to slow progress towards solution of Kashmir issue but hoped that the process of normalization would lead to a peaceful future for people of Kashmir.

Straw said they also exchanged views on bilateral relations and said his country is alive to the need of Pakistan for fair treatment in trade by the European Union in respect of GSP (Generalized System of Preference) plus. He said Britain would do its best as it is important to boost Pakistan's trade and economic activates to European Union.

Source: Xinhua