Call on the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs by the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan

The new US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP), Ambassador Richard Olson, called on the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs (SAPM), Syed Tariq Fatemi, today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The SAPM felicitated Ambassador Olson on his new assignment and reassured him Pakistan’s continued support and cooperation to his office. He reiterated Pakistan’s earnest desire for establishing friendly and cooperative relations with Afghanistan and stressed that Pakistan was committed to supporting all efforts for peace and development in Afghanistan. He re-affirmed that Pakistan recognized Afghanistan’s National Unity Government as the democratically elected legitimate representatives of the Afghan people.

The Special Assistant underlined that hosting the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process reflected Pakistan’s continuous commitment to and contribution towards regional and international efforts for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan. The Conference would mark the culmination of Pakistan’s year-long co-chairmanship of the Process, during which Pakistan reached out to regional and international partners to bring greater coherence in efforts towards peace, security and economic prosperity in Afghanistan and the region.

SRAP Olson acknowledged Pakistan’s contribution towards peace and development in Afghanistan and lauded Pakistan for hosting the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference. He expressed hope that the Ministerial Conference would provide a welcome opportunity for discussions among key stakeholders on the Afghan peace process.

Islamabad
7 November 2015

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