Pakistan, Italy discuss UN reforms, Iran nuclear issue
By Asghar Ali Mubar

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and Italy Tuesday discussed UN reforms, Pak-India peace process, Afghanistan situation, Iran nuclear crisis and international and regional issues.
According to statement issued here, bilateral consultations between Pakistan and Italy were held at the Foreign Office here.
Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Ms. Margherita Boniver, who is visiting Pakistan from 7-10th, led the Italian delegation, while Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs led the Pakistan side.
The Minister of state for foreign affairs briefed the visiting dignitary on colossal devastation caused by the October 8 earthquake and the ongoing relief activities in the tremors hit areas.
Thanking the Italian deputy foreign minister for the generous relief assistance provided by the Italian government, he underlined that the unprecedented magnitude of destruction, which surpassed the havoc caused by the Asian Tsunami, necessitated an extra-ordinary effort by Pakistan and its friends to mitigate the sufferings of millions of affectees, through rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The Minister informed Ms Boniver about the donor’s conference being organized by Pakistan later this month and requested a high-level participation from Italy.
The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views aimed at enhancement of bilateral ties. They discussed the follow up of the Prime Minister’s visit to Italy as envisaged in the Joint Statement including reactivation of Joint Economic Commission, speeding up the finalization of agreement on debt cancellation and initiating technical cooperation in the area of olive cultivation.
The two Ministers also discussed International and regional issues of mutual interest, including Afghanistan, Pakistan-India peace process, UN Reforms and Iran.
Ms. Margherita Boniver also called on Foreign Minister Khurshid. M. Kasuri and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Italian government on the colossal loss of life and property as a result of massive earthquake of 8 October.
Foreign Minister Kasuri gave the Italian Minister details of the havoc created by the earthquake.
She said the international response towards rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts was not commensurate with the magnitude of tragedy and even the flash appeal for assistance made by the UN was not fully met.
Kasuri expressed the hope that conference called by President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad in connection with the earthquake on November 19, will help galvanize the international community and achieve subjective regarding reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Kasuri briefed the visiting dignitary on the devastation caused by the earthquake, ongoing relief activities in the affected areas and the magnitude of reconstruction efforts required.
He thanked the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister for the generous relief assistance provided by the Italian government worth 10 million Euros and looked forward to continued Italian support.
The Italian Deputy Foreign Minister mentioned that Italy had developed special expertise in the area of artificial limbs and would endeavour to share it with Pakistan.
International and regional issues of mutual interest, including Pakistan-India peace process, Afghanistan and Iran were also discussed in the meeting.
The Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, who arrived here on Monday is leading a 7-member delegation that includes a media team and will visit the quake-affected areas on Wednesday.