PESHAWAR: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday said Pakistan wants to improve ties with the US Administration and recognise the need for understanding the dynamics of Afghanistan.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the minister said Pakistan will have to understand the needs of Americans in Afghanistan for improving ties with the US.

Shah Mehmood’s remarks came a day after Pakistan’s Foreign Office rejected the US State Department’s statement about a telephonic conversation between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Shah Mehmood said the statement issued by the State Department was contrary to the facts. “I told the foreign secretary to immediately issue a clarification after she told me about it,” he said.

He said that the prime minister and Secretary Pompeo discussed issues of mutual of interest. He said Pompeo congratulated Imran and told him that the US wants a productive relationship with Pakistan.

He said Pakistan’s attitude on the foreign policy front is not, and will not be, apologetic and we will safeguard our interests with respect and honour.

Shah Mehmood said regional peace is a top priority of Pakistan’s foreign policy and positive indications have been received from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in this regard. He said peace in Afghanistan is perquisite for peace in the entire region and Pakistan wants a peaceful Afghanistan.

He said Pak-China everlasting friendship is unprecedented. He said that his Chinese counterpart also showed his willingness to visit Pakistan very soon. He also emphasised on exploring markets of the European Union and African countries to enhance trade and investment for Pakistan.