Pakistan and China share the vision for peaceful region

Islamabad: Pakistan and Iron Brother China share the vision for peace in the region and the world, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said after holding telephonic talk with his Chinese counterpart State Councilor Wang Yi.

The two to diplomats of the friendly countries discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan during the telephonic call.

FM Qureshi later said that Pakistan and China had played a positive role for peace in Afghanistan and they share the vision for peace and prosperity of the region.

“Both of us (Pakistan and China) want peace in the region and beyond (the whole world). We believe it (peace) is key to prosperity. I have briefed FM Wang Yi about the developments in Afghanistan and we have unanimity of the opinion on promoting consensus,” he said.

FM Qureshi said China’s role for peace in the region is praiseworthy. “They want an inclusive progress of the whole region. CEPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) is one example,” he added.

Earlier, a foreign ministry statement said that during the conversation, FM Qureshi underlined that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was of critical importance for Pakistan and the region. In this perspective, he said, Pakistan had assiduously supported the Afghan peace process.

Pakistan and China, as part of Troika Plus, had made a valuable contribution to these efforts, the statement noted.

It quoted FM Qureshi as saying that given the situation, it is extremely important to ensure safety and security as well as the protection of rights of the Afghan people.

The FM stressed that an inclusive political settlement was essential, for which all Afghans should work together.

FM Qureshi said that it was equally important for the international community to remain engaged in support of the Afghan people.

He emphasised that the international community must also have sustained economic engagement with Afghanistan.

He apprised FM Wang Yi of Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate the evacuation of personnel, and staff of diplomatic missions, international organisations, media, and others from Afghanistan.

FM Qureshi said Pakistan and China are “iron brothers” and strategic partners. The two countries have the tradition of maintaining close coordination and communication on the issues of common interest, he added. Both the sides agreed to remain in close contact to promote the countries’ shared objectives.