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Trilateral dialogue stresses regional approach to counter challenges
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ISLAMABAD: A collective regional approach towards countering issues and meeting challenges was emphasised by diplomats, scholars and researchers Sunday on the opening day of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral dialogue here.
In his keynote address Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said: “Cooperation between China, Afghanistan and Pakistan will benefit the region.” He emphasised: “Building mutual trust and friendly consultations between the two countries should be encouraged to promote cooperation.” Thanking Pakistan-China Institute Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and German political foundation, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Pakistan, Resident Representative Ronny Heine for jointly organising the two-day international conference, Ambassador Weidong said both Afghanistan and Pakistan are close neighbouring countries and are good neighbours to China.
“Its timely and important Conference,” Ambassador of Afghanistan Janan Musa Musazai said while thanking Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung for organising the dialogue. “We look forward to welcoming the next round of trilateral dialogue in Afghanistan,” Ambassador Musazai added in response to Chairman Pakistan-China Institute Senator Sayed’s earlier announcement regarding the next trilateral conference in Kabul. The first round of the trilateral dialogue was held in Beijing in 2013. After this going conference the third session of Trilateral Dialogue will be held in Afghanistan.
“Its unique opportunity”, Afghan envoy said: “for us to extend cooperation and tackle common threats and challenges together” and achieve common goal of “security, stability and prosperity.” Ambassador Sun Weidong emphasised: “Building mutual trust and friendly consultations between the two countries should be encouraged to promote cooperation.” Assuring cooperation in all avenues while highlighting three key threats - “terrorism, extremism and narcotics”, Chinese envoy emphasised: “China is also ready to extend cooperation in this regard to Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Highlighting the need to uphold the “sovereignty, integrity and security” of Afghanistan, Ambassador Weidong welcomed international community to help Afghanistan improve its security situation. “China believes that national reconciliation is inevitable for Afghanistan to achieve its objectives,” the Chinese envoy stressed, adding that China is traditionally friendly neighbour of Afghanistan, and “it respects independence and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.” China is biggest neighbour to both Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Weidong said: “China is devoted for the early settlement of Afghan issue. We have taken an active part.”
The Afghan envoy was grateful that President Mamnoon Hussain attended Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s ceremony of ascending to his office and to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz who is currently visiting Kabul. Ambassador Musazai said: “Afghanistan and Pakistan are natural friends and partners joined by inseparable bonds.” He also talked about building, Peshawar-Jalalabad and Chaman-Qandhar railways lines to bring both countries further closer. According credit to former Afghan President Hamed Karzai, the envoy said Karzai government laid foundation to lasting friendship with China, which is the largest investor in Afghanistan.
Ambassador Musazai said the new government in Afghanistan will further develop the three main key policy objectives that continuing for past 13 years: transforming Afghanistan from a failed state to functioning democracy; broadening and strengthening relations in the region; and working with closet neighbours in strengthening the bilateral and multilateral relations.
Earlier, in his welcome address Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said: “Our destinies are interlinked”, adding with NATO and the United States receding in the region, “The destinies of Asia should be decided by Asians.” Highlighting Germany’s role in developing Afghanistan, Senator Sayed said: “Germany has good vision for Asia.” The Pakistan-China Institute Chairman added: “In two days we will have good brainstorming and would come up with specific policy recommendations which would be doable and promote cooperation amongst the three neighbours in concrete areas.”
Thanking Senator Mushahid Hussain for taking the initiative in holding the Conference, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Resident Representative in Pakistan, Ronny Heine said: “China, Afghanistan and Pakistan can play an effective role, as key events are taking place in the emerging Afghanistan.” The session reviewing the current outlook for Afghanistan was chaired by Prof. Li Xiguang, Director Pakistan Study Center, Tsinghua University, Beijing. Presenting Afghan perspective Dr. Farouq Azam, Chairman, Movement for Peaceful Transformation of Afghanistan said the new relations with China will create a new look in relations with Pakistan.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk