Pakistan fully supports China’s contribution and proposal for Afghanistan’s peace and economic development, will host Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Istanbul Process next year in Pakistan

Pakistan fully supports China’s constructive contribution and five point proposal envisaged by Premier Li Keqiang for Afghanistan’s peace and economic development. This was stated by the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Mr. Sartaj Aziz while addressing the Fourth Ministerial Conference on the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process held in Beijing today.

The Ministerial Conference is a powerful illustration of the international community’s commitment to support Afghanistan in its quest for peace, progress and prosperity. The Adviser said that the Heart of Asia process had evolved into an important platform for collective endeavors in support of Afghanistan’s stabilization. Pakistan’s involvement with the six confidence building measures (CBMs) was a manifestation of its abiding interest in promoting the shared goals of stability and prosperity in the Heart of Asia, through constructive regional cooperation.

He said that as co-lead with Kazakhstan on the Disaster Management CBM, Pakistan had been steering the agreed priority activities.

The Adviser underscored that Afghanistan had undergone historic transfer of power after recent elections. He congratulated President Ashraf Ghani on being elected as Afghanistan’s President and in forming unity government in Afghanistan.

The Adviser appreciated that a regional consensus had been achieved at the Ministerial Conference underlining the need to fully support peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan and in helping Afghanistan’s reconstruction. The Adviser reiterated that Pakistan remains fully committed to support an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

Pakistan’s offer to host the next year’s Conference of the Istanbul Process was supported by the participating countries and the international organizations. Accordingly Pakistan would host 2015 Ministerial Conference of the Istanbul Process.

Islamabad
31 October,2014

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