News
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Pak-Russia agree to work closely for Afghan peace* Russian, US envoys hold separate meetings with FM Khar
Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Russian Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Zamir Kaulov and US Ambassador Cameron Munter on Wednesday held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
“They held in-depth discussions on a range of bilateral issues as well as the situation in Afghanistan. The foreign minister noted that the process that the leadership of the two countries had initiated in recent years had turned a new page in bilateral relations,” a Foreign Office (FO) spokesman said.
FM Khar underlined the importance of sustaining this upward trajectory. She also underscored the importance Pakistan attached to cooperating closely with Russia on the issue of stability, peace and security in the region and to enhance bilateral consultations and cooperation between the two countries in this regard.
Sources in the FO said that the Russian envoy and the Pakistani side held consultative meetings with specific reference to the Afghan issue and regional situation.
Sources also said that understanding between Russia and Pakistan on the regional issues has been developing for the last few years and the consultation aimed at further enhancing convergence on Afghanistan and peace in the region.
Earlier, the special representative had a detailed meeting with Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani.
The two had extensive and constructive discussions on a range of bilateral issues and exchanged views on important regional and international issues of mutual interest. They noted that there was a consensus among the leadership on improving bilateral ties and boosting cooperation for regional peace and stability. They also noted that there was a strategic convergence of views on major issues and underlined the importance of intensifying the political and security dialogue between the two countries.
Analysts maintain that the visits of Chinese foreign minister and the Russian envoy are meaningful and consultation among the regional countries is essential for peace and stability in the region.
These days Central Asian countries are being used for NATO supplies as supply via Pakistan was suspended after November’s NATO attack on Salala killing 24 Pakistani soldiers.
Being the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan and Central Asia, the two regional countries are aware of their importance of their role in the region, the sources said, adding, “The two sides consider consultation as important for peace.”
Separately, Ambassador Kabulov also called on the prime minister and briefed him on Pak-Russia bilateral relations as well as the Russian position on Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Cameron Munter, who returned to Pakistan due to tough talks on reopening NATO supplies and Pak-US ties, also called on Khar in the Foreign Office.
“Both sides exchanged views on current status of bilateral relations and follow-up of the Chicago summit, including situation in Afghanistan,” the FO stated.
The foreign minister underscored the need to work together on issues of mutual interest based on the spirit of partnership and mutual respect.
Both sides agreed that Pakistan-US relationship is strategically important for two countries and therefore agreed to work together to achieve shared goals and objectives.
According to officials, the two sides discussed in details the relations between the two countries while focusing on all aspects of the NATO supply’s talks going on at technical level.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk