Islamabad, Jan 13 (IANS): The US is committed to boosting its security and intelligence cooperation with Pakistan, and will continue to stand with Pakistan in its difficult hour, Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday.

"Just as we stand with the people of France in its difficult hour, America will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan as they build a future that is free from the threat of violent extremism," Dawn quoted him as saying in a joint press conference with Pakistan´s national security advisor Sartaj Aziz as the two countries held strategic talks on the direction of future ties.

"I welcome the strong consensus forged by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan's leaders about the importance of combating all terrorists and terror groups," he said.

"I emphasised that the US is committed to deepening our security relationship with Pakistan in order to eliminate threats in the border area and elsewhere."

Kerry said the Dec 16 Taliban attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar that claimed the lives of over 140 students and teachers was "really a reminder of the serious risk of allowing extremists to find space, and be able to command that space and operate within it".

He said all militant groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistani (TTP), Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba (Let) "continue to pose a threat not just to Pakistan and its neighbours but also to the US and the world".

"Make no mistake, the task is a difficult one and it is not done," Kerry said.

"We all have a responsibility to ensure that these extremists are no longer able to secure a foothold in this country or elsewhere."

Aziz, a key advisor to Nawaz Sharif, mentioned that both the countries have also agreed to expand trade.

"I urge Secretary Kerry to consider various proposals to provide greater market access to Pakistan," he said, adding, "Pakistan is eagerly awaiting joint US-Pak business opportunity conference that is scheduled to be held in March 2015".

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