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ISLAMABAD: France on Saturday said that Pakistan's nuclear capability is a reality and a fact and Paris is prepared to open a dialogue with Islamabad on the issue of non-proliferation.

In a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin that it was important for the international community to both try to stick to its principles and try to face the reality.

The Reality

Asked if France has accepted Pakistan as a nuclear weapon state as it has decided to open dialogue with Islamabad on the issue, "Reality means that Pakistan has a nuclear capability, that is the fact," de Villepin replied.

Non-Proliferation

The French FM commended Pakistan's decision to address the question of non-proliferation in a constructive manner.

He said his country was ready to start dialogue with Pakistan in areas of proliferation, strong export controls and greater transparency regarding nuclear activities and participation of Pakistan in international efforts with regard to non-proliferation. He said "a positive move by Pakistan in this direction will of course reinforce the position of Pakistan in the international community."

The response from Pakistan has been very constructive and positive, he added.

Working Together

The Minister said said "We need to work together with all the responsible countries, that do want to be part of a dialogue...the most constructive approach is to take action to take new steps in order to make sure where we are going we are going together and in a very responsible spirit."

Kasuri Remarks

Foreign Minister Kasuri said Pakistan was a declared nuclear power and there was no question of its rollback. He said Pakistan's nuclear programme was for defence purposes only and referred to the Indian test conducted in 1974 and 1998.

Saying that Pakistan would not compromise on its nuclear weapons he added "but within that context we will go out to support the international community against nuclear non-proliferation."

Summit

The French Minister said that his country was proposing a summit of heads of state on proliferation in the coming months and expects Pakistan to participate in it.

Lauds Pakistan

The French Minister appreciated Pakistan's role in the fight against international terrorism.

He said France appreciates Pakistan's role in the war against terrorism and in reconstruction of Afghanistan. He said Pakistan was deeply committed to root out terrorist elements from its soil.

Indo-Pak Ties

The French FM said, "We also exchanged views on recent developments in Pakistan-India relations, Nuclear non-proliferation, Afghanistan, Iraq and UN related issues."

He said Pakistan and France agreed to explore avenues to consolidate and expand their economic, commercial and defence cooperation.

Support

The Foreign Minister de Villepin expressed support for the resumption of composite dialogue to address all outstanding issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said his country always encouraged dialogue as peace and development were very close to each other. He said the European Union was closely watching the happenings in South Asia and felt that the only way forward is through a dialogue.

War against Terrorism

de Villepin expressed appreciation for Pakistan's role in the war against terrorism and in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. He commended Pakistan's decision to address the question of non-proliferation in a constructive manner.

He said Pakistan has close relations with France and a long history of cooperative and cordial ties.

Dominique de Villepin said "We engage with France on three important planes: bilateral relations; the European Union; and the United Nations. Thus, our engagement on all these planes has been frequent, intense and productive."

Pak-EU Relations

Kasuri said the government was desirous of working closely with the European Union and its leading members, including France.

The visit of the foreign Minister of France coincides with growing interaction between Pakistan and Europe.

French Cooperation

Kasuri said Pakistan and France continue to cooperate with each other in the UN Security Council. "We appreciate the position that France has take on various global issues at the UN and its support to the dialogue among Civilizations, which we endorse."

The French Foreign Minister said, "We admire the importance that France attaches to the promotion of culture. We believe that there is need for more cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries. We would continue to work for a robust relationship between Pakistan and France."

Strong Support for Musharraf

Foreign Minister de Villepin again expressed France's strong support for President Musharraf's concept of Enlightened Moderation.

He said France has played a key role in the integration of the European and the emergence of the European Union. The EU offers a unique example for cooperation to other regions of the world, including South Asia.

Foreign Minister of France Dominique de Villepin, arrived Saturday, is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan.