At trilateral meeting, Qureshi urges collective efforts for peace

KABUL: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday said Pakistan, China and Afghanistan need to make collective efforts to foil the designs of enemies of peace in the region.  

Speaking at the second round of trilateral ministerial dialogue in Afghan capital, he stressed the need for deepening regional cooperation in diverse sectors.

The foreign minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradication of terrorism and added better border management between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as intelligence sharing will benefit both the countries.

He said Islamabad will continue to play a facilitative role in the Afghan peace process.

Mr Qureshi said the country will do everything to support the growing momentum towards reconciliation provided others play their due role and share responsibility and create an enabling environment towards that end.

He said Pakistan has always supported dialogue process for peaceful solution to the Afghan conflict. He said the country’s stance has also been vindicated by the international community.

The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his remarks said that his country desires to make the Afghan reconciliation process successful.  He said his country will play its role to reduce trust deficit between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Wang Yi said that his country also wants to further strengthen relations with Afghanistan and desires to make it part of CPEC.  He said China supports an Afghan led and afghan owned peace process.

In his inaugural speech, Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani said collective efforts are required to address the common challenge of terrorism.  He said Pak-Afghan relations are rooted in common faith and culture.

He said Kabul desires to strengthen bilateral relations with Pakistan.

The Afghan foreign minister also appreciated the Chinese one belt one road initiative.

Earlier, the three foreign ministers held an informal meeting. They will also sign an MoU vis-a-vis anti terrorism cooperation at the conclusion of the trilateral dialogue.

FM Qureshi is accompanied by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and other senior officials of the ministry.