Pak reiterates commitment to complete CPEC

Islamabad: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to complete China Pakistan Economic Corridor as envisaged by the leadership of China and Pakistan.

He was talking to Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou who called on him in Islamabad.

The Foreign Minister congratulated Vice Minister Kong on successful conclusion of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations. He highlighted that CPEC has added yet another dimension to bilateral ties.

He said Pakistan-China friendship has deep cultural, historical and institutional linkages and has become an ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’.

Recalling Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China last month, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said it marked a milestone in the history of bilateral relations and has deepened the bond of trust and friendship between two nations.

Qureshi said he was looking forward to participate in the 2nd meeting of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Foreign Ministers’ Trilateral mechanism to be held in Kabul on Saturday next.

While reciprocating the sentiments of Foreign Minister Qureshi, Vice Foreign Minister Kong said that China attaches paramount importance to its relations with Pakistan.

He expressed satisfaction at the momentum of bilateral relations and underscored the need to further enhance ties in political, economic, defense and cultural spheres.

He appreciated Pakistan for its efforts to achieve goals of national development and extended China’s utmost support in this regard.

Both leaders also exchanged views on regional situation and multilateral issues of mutual concern and agreed to deepen strategic coordination and communication at all levels.

Meanwhile, the ‘First Round of Political Consultations’ between Pakistan and China was held in Islamabad on Monday.

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua led the Pakistani delegation whilst Chinese side was headed by Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou.

Both sides held comprehensive discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations. They reaffirmed “All Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” between the two countries and expressed their satisfaction at the strong bilateral ties in political, economic, security, cultural and other spheres. The two sides also agreed to build upon the consensus reached between the leadership of two countries during the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China.

Pakistan side conveyed that the CPEC was a national priority for the government and Pakistan remains committed to the successful implementation of CPEC, said an official statement.

The two sides also resolved to work together towards completion of the ongoing projects and agreed to expand CPEC to new areas of cooperation in line with the vision of the leadership of Pakistan.

Both sides exchanged views on international political situation with a particular focus on Afghanistan and South Asia. They also expressed satisfaction at their robust cooperation in multilateral fora and reiterated their resolve to further augment it in the future.