Pakistan would raise the issue of attacks by militants from Afghanistan into Pakistani territory during trilateral summit scheduled to be held in Istanbul.
Briefing newsmen in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office
Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said that President Asif Ali Zardari will
visit Turkey from 31st October at the invitation of his Turkish
counterpart Abdullah Gul.
She said that the President will have an all-encompassing dialogue
with the Turkish leader on different aspects of bilateral relations and
cooperation on regional and international issues.
On Ist November, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari would join President Abdullah
Gul and Afghan President Hamid Karzai in a trilateral summit on
Afghanistan.
The agenda of the summit, to be held in Istanbul, will include peace,
stability and reconciliation in Afghanistan and economic cooperation
among the three countries.
Tehmina Janjua said Pakistan attaches importance to the trilateral
and multilateral processes relating to Afghanistan and supports all
endeavours and initiatives in this regard.
To a question she said Pakistan would raise the issue of attacks by
militants from Afghanistan into Pakistani territory during trilateral
summit.
Afghanistan and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar would lead Pakistan delegation at the moot.
The conference would provide a platform to express solidarity and
support for Afghanistan in its endeavours to establish peace and
stability.
The spokesperson said Prime Minister Syed Prime Minister Syed Yusuf
Raza Gilani would visit Moscow on 7th of next month to participate in
the summit of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the invitation
of the Russian Prime Minister.
The summit would discuss issues relating to regional security, trade,
connectivity, energy and cooperation against terrorism and drug
trafficking.
PM Gilani would also discuss bilateral matters with the Russian Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister would also lead Pakistan’s delegation at the SAARC
summit to be held in Maldives on 10th and 11th of next month. The
summit would focus on building bridges and enhance cooperation in
different fields including transportation, communication, regional trade
and investment.
Asked about possibility of meeting between Prime Ministers of
Pakistan and India on the sidelines of the summit, the spokesperson said
the Foreign Office is in touch with Indian External Affairs Ministry to
see what could be worked out.
Responding to a question she said Pakistan is committed to supporting the right of the Kashmiri people for self-determination.
She said Pakistan continues to discuss Kashmir issue with India at
every possible occasion and it figured in resumed dialogue process
between the two countries.
The spokesperson the Prime Minister has sent a message of solidarity
for people of Thailand over flooding there. She said Pakistan’s Embassy
in Bangkok is in contact with Pakistanis in Thailand to know if they
wanted any assistance including repatriation from affected areas.
Replying to question she said Pakistan evaluates recent visit of US
Secretary of State to Islamabad positively. It was useful and
constructive as it allowed opportunity for in depth discussions leading
to broad convergence of views at the strategic level. She said there is a
complex situation in the region requiring clarity of purpose,
objectivity and firm determination and that is what the two countries
are aiming to look at.
Asked to comment on a newspaper report that China was seeking
military bases in Pakistan, the spokesperson said this was rubbish and
mere fabrication.
To another question she said Pakistan Embassy in Libya is in touch
with Pakistani community leaders to know the kind of support needed by
them in the current situation. SANA
