Pakistan wants good relations with all neighbouring countries: Sartaj Aziz
He was holding a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Sunday said that terrorism is a challenge to global peace and stability.
He was holding a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Islamabad.
Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan has consistently emphasized that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in their interest and a stable Afghanistan would help promote their shared agenda of economic development and regional connectivity.
He said Pakistan’s relations with China are the cornerstone of its foreign policy.
He asserted that Pakistan took stock of the progress made in bilateral relations, including political, strategic and economic cooperation and identified areas for further consolidation of the ‘all weather’ relationship between Pakistan and the People’s Republic of China.
The Adviser said the next phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor part of the wider One Belt One Road initiative will not be confined to physical connectivity only but will also promote connectivity of ideas, cultures and people.
Sartaj Aziz declared that Pakistan wants peaceful relations with all its neighbors including India and agreed on the need for strategic balance in South Asia.
He said Pakistan informed China about its efforts to strengthen cooperation with the Afghan government in counter-terrorism, border management and voluntary and sustainable return of Afghan refugees.
He emphasized on the need for the two countries to pursue their abiding commitment to not let their respective soils be used against each other.
Sartaj Aziz thanked China for its constructive proposals for promoting peace and harmony in the region.
He said according to these proposals Pakistan, Afghanistan and China have agreed to conduct Foreign Ministers dialogue to discuss all aspects of Afghanistan-Pakistan relations with special focus on economic cooperation.
He said it is also agreed that a bilateral crisis management mechanism between Afghanistan and Pakistan will also be established. He said this would enable the two sides to maintain timely and effective communications in case of any emergencies, including terrorist attacks.
He revealed that Afghanistan, Pakistan and China also agreed on the need for reviving the Quadrilateral Coordination Group process in order to create a conducive environment for talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
Talking on the occasion, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Pakistan is playing a vital role in ensuring peace and stability in the region.
He notified that Pakistan has rendered unprecedented sacrifices in war on terror and the world should appreciate and acknowledge these efforts.
He said Pakistan is also playing a crucial role in completing the projects under the umbrella of China Pakistan Economic Corridor as a part of One Belt One Road vision.
He articulated that China wants a peaceful and stable Afghanistan to ensure development and prosperity and will work with Pakistan and Afghan government for a durable peace.
