SANYA (China), April 11: Pakistan and Australia agreed on Friday to pursue an effective anti-terrorism strategy and stressed the need for enhancing cooperation.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Michael Rudd, who held a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf here, told reporters that his country looked forward to working with Pakistan.

“I have a very positive view of Pakistan and we look forward to working together in future,” Mr Rudd said.

The Australian prime minister is in China to attend the annual Boao Forum.

Mr Rudd said: “I had a very good meeting with President Musharraf. We agreed to continue dialogue with Pakistan in the years ahead.”

During the meeting, Mr Rudd is reported to have expressed his country’s concerns over reports of talks with militants by the new Pakistan government.

President Musharraf explained Pakistan’s strategy and said there had been no change in the stance towards militancy and in its policy of combating terrorism with full force.—APP