US-Pakistan relations started a new era?

US-PAKISTAN relations started a new era ?

WASHINGTON - Efforts to improve US-Pakistan relations will begin in earnest later this month through the visit of Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Salman Bashir, to Washington that are expected to lead to strategic dialogue and the president's visit to the United States.
Bashir and a number of delegations will meet with officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 20-21 April, U.S. diplomatic sources told Dawn on Saturday (04/08/2011).

Both sides are expected to prepare the agenda for the next hold strategic dialogue which will most likely be held in Islamabad in May.

U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who will lead the U.S. team for dialogue and Pakistani officials hope that this dialogue will pave the way for first official visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Washington in June.

"We obviously remain engaged with Pakistan in the struggle against terrorism and extremism. And the anti-terrorism efforts kamisangat important to progress the relationship between the two countries," deputy spokesman said the U.S. State Department, Mark Toner. "We also try to work with Pakistan in building their institutions and strengthen their democracy in order to create a better future, more prosperous for the people of Pakistan."

Relations between the two countries tightened after the arrest of CIA contractor in Pakistan. A report states that the White House has accused Pakistan of failing to rein in extremists.

The U.S. government underlines the "existential threat" faced by Pakistan, especially from terrorism and has also stressed that cooperation with the U.S. is the need to confront the threat.

"And we try to work cooperatively with them in a way to overcome the challenges that exist," said Toner.