Pakistan attaches importance to its trilateral mechanism with China, Afghanistan: FM
ISLAMABAD (92 News) - Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan attaches huge importance to its trilateral mechanism with China and Afghanistan for enhancing cooperation and coordination in the areas of shared interest.
In his virtual address at the 4th China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue, the minister said Pakistan has always strived to strengthen its relations with China and Afghanistan in the bilateral as well as regional context.
"We strongly believe that peace, prosperity and economic development of our three countries are inter-linked," he added.
He said the United States and NATO forces have already started withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
FM Qureshi said while the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan entails serious security challenges, it also offers a unique opportunity for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.
"We should explore that how our three neighbourly countries can work together to deal with the evolving situation in an effective manner and steer it towards achieving our shared objective of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region," he maintained.
The minister said Pakistan, China and Afghanistan are located in a region which have immense opportunities for fostering mutually beneficial economic and development cooperation.
He said durable peace and stability in Afghanistan would lead to a conducive environment for harnessing the true potential of regional connectivity and further deepening economic inter-dependence through use of innovation and technological advances.
Earlier, talking to Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong in Islamabad today, FM Qureshi says the leadership of Pakistan and China is committed to timely completion of ongoing projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
He said Special Economic Zones being established under CPEC will prove to be game changer for the entire region.
The foreign minister said Pakistan is also offering special incentives to attract foreign investors in Special Economic Zones.
