ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi will lead the Pakistan delegation at the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) Ministerial Conference, being held on Tuesday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
According to a statement issued by the ministry of foreign affairs on Sunday, the ministerial meeting will be preceded by Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on Monday.
The theme of the conference is “Strengthening Consensus for Peace and Development.” During the ministerial conference, the foreign minister will deliver a statement highlighting Pakistan’s positive contributions to the Afghan peace process and its support for Afghanistan’s development and connectivity within the regional framework.
On the sidelines of the conference, the foreign minister will hold consultations with key regional and international partners.
During his visit to Dushanbe, the foreign minister will have bilateral engagement with the Tajik leadership. Besides holding talks with Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Foreign Minister Qureshi will have interaction with other Tajik dignitaries and review the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
Pakistan highly values its close fraternal ties with countries in Central Asia. Pakistan’s relations with Tajikistan are firmly rooted in common faith, shared history, and geographic proximity. There is a mutual interest in developing close cooperative ties in all areas. Pakistan hopes that the return of peace and stability in Afghanistan would further strengthen its historic links with Central Asia, including Tajikistan.
The foreign minister’s visit to Tajikistan will help deepen bilateral cooperation in diverse fields and reinforce the growing partnership between the two brotherly countries.
The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, initiated in 2011, is an important platform to promote peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan through regional cooperation, confidence-building measures (CBMs), and dialogue. Pakistan attaches high importance to this Process and has been a regular contributor to the advancement of its objectives. Pakistan is the lead country for Disaster Management and Agriculture Development CBMs under the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process.
In 2015, Pakistan co-chaired the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process, along with Afghanistan, and hosted its 5th Ministerial Conference in Islamabad.
PAKISTAN LAUDS SAUDI INITIATIVE FOR YEMEN PEACE:
Separately, Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated the steps taken by the Saudi leadership in resolving differences among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), as well as the recent initiative for promoting resolution of issues in Yemen through dialogue and diplomacy.
Qureshi said this during a telephonic conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud on Sunday, said a press statement.
Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored Pakistan’s continued support for Saudi efforts aimed at promoting peace, security and prosperity in the region. He also reiterated Pakistan’s support for the kingdom’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Conveying his profound regards for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi foreign minister acknowledged Pakistan’s continued and steadfast support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Praising the “Saudi Green Initiative” and the “Green Middle East Initiative” announced by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Qureshi termed it as a major initiative for reducing global carbon emissions.
The Saudi foreign minister lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ground-breaking measures already taken in Pakistan, in the same arena.
Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s commitment to augmenting cooperation with the kingdom in all spheres. Appreciating the two countries’ collaboration in multilateral organisations, he hoped that this mutual support and partnership will further strengthen in future.
Reciprocating positively, Prince Faisal expressed readiness to further fortify bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.
The two foreign ministers agreed to maintain steady momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries.
