Obama to receive Nawaz Sharif Oct 23

US President Barrack Obama will receive Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the White House Oct 23, Pakistan's foreign ministry said Thursday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry called on Sharif in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and extended the invitation, Xinhua reported citing a foreign ministry statement.

"The prime minister was pleased to accept the invitation," it said.

The statement quoted Kerry as saying that the high-level interaction would provide the necessary impetus to move towards a long term Pakistan-US engagement.

Matters of mutual interest, including regional stability and the situation in Afghanistan, were also discussed during the meeting.

The two sides reviewed the state of bilateral relationship and agreed to intensify the engagements in the coming weeks and months to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas.

It was also agreed to convene meetings of the various working groups under the revived strategic dialogue mechanism.

During the meeting, the prime minister noted that improvement in security, revival of economy and overcoming the energy crisis were the key priorities of his government.

The prime minister also emphasised that greater trade between Pakistan and the US would contribute to the economic prosperity of the people of Pakistan and help in evolving a mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.