Statement to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Ministerial Meeting

Mr Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

I thank our host Japan for organising this meeting.

I acknowledge the guidance provided by Prime Minister Aso and President Zardari in their opening remarks.

This meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan is a demonstration of the wide international community support for Pakistan at this critical time.

Pakistan faces acute, complex and urgent challenges.

President Zardari himself has made clear that the threat of militancy and extremism in the Afghanistan border region is not just a danger to Afghanistan but a threat to Pakistan's very existence.

Australia is seized of these challenges and is committed to assist our friend and partner.

Australia is of course an inaugural member of the Friends of a Democratic Pakistan.

The cooperation between our countries has grown rapidly in recent years and we intend to build on this bilateral engagement.

Over the next year, Australia will substantially increase its development assistance to Pakistan, focusing on health, education and governance.

A significant portion of Australia's assistance will be directed to the border region, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the North Western Frontier Province.

And we will continue to support humanitarian relief for Pakistan, as it is a country of first refuge for the large displaced Afghan population on the Afghan-Pakistan border.

Pakistan, like Australia, is one of the world's most arid countries.

To enhance Pakistan's food security, Australia will provide assistance on irrigation management and work with Pakistan to enhance the efficiency of its mango, citrus and dairy industries.

Australia understands the essential importance of strengthening democratic institutions, protecting human rights, enhancing government accountability and increasing transparency in Pakistan.

Australia is providing capacity building support in these areas.

Australia and Pakistan are also working together to boost our mutual trade and investment and we have agreed to work together to deepen agribusiness and agricultural science linkages.

As my Pakistan counterpart Foreign Minister Qureshi has said, economic development is essential to address Pakistan's security challenges.

Australia stands with the Government of Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and extremism. The international community has a direct stake in staring down that terrorist threat.

Australia believes that collectively we must make our efforts to eliminate terrorist networks more effective.

We must reinforce, in concrete ways, Pakistan's ability to confront and stare down this threat.

Australia is making, and will continue to make, a contribution to military and police training.

Today, Australia urges the international community to reaffirm its support for Pakistan.

We look to Pakistan to implement strategies to combat extremism, to promote stability and to foster economic development.

Australia urges Pakistan to deal with these challenges in an integrated and comprehensive manner.

Australia is committed to working in partnership with Pakistan and the Friends of a Democratic Pakistan to promote security and economic development in Pakistan.

That is in Pakistan's interests and in the interests of the South and Central Asian region and the international community.

Thank you Mr Chairman.

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