Readout of Vice President Biden's Meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

This afternoon, Vice President Biden met Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the United Nations. The leaders affirmed the enormous common interests that the United States and Pakistan share and the importance of continuing to combat terrorism together and expand trade and energy cooperation. The Vice President affirmed that America stands by a democratic Pakistan and will continue to support its growth and prosperity. The leaders welcomed the agreement reached among Afghan leaders on a unity government and affirmed support for a sovereign Afghanistan and a stable and peaceful region. The Prime Minister updated the Vice President on Pakistan's military operations in North Waziristan and affirmed their importance. The leaders acknowledged that Pakistani civilians have suffered tragic losses at the hands of violent extremists who exploit that area. Prime Minister Sharif thanked the Vice President for U.S. assistance, including expansion of Pakistan's hydroelectric capacity.