SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Conceding strained ties, President Barack Obama today welcomed Pakistan’s review of its relationship with the United States, saying it was important for the two countries to get their partnership right.

Obama spoke alongside Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani before the two men held private talks. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between their countries following a series of incidents that have marred trust.

‘’There have been times — I think we should be frank — in the last several months where those relations have experienced strains,” Obama said of the dynamic between the U.S. and Pakistan.

The breakdown in the relationship followed the shooting death of two alleged Pakistani assailants by a CIA officer and the U.S. Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May. The tipping point came in November, when U.S. forces returned fire they believed came from a Pakistani border post, killing 24 Pakistani troops.

Pakistan broke off ties with the U.S. following that incident and launched a debate about new terms of engagement with the U.S., including on the issue of CIA drone strikes on targets inside Pakistan.

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