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PR. No.226/2008

Date: 27/07/2008    

15 th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting , Singapore 24 July 2008

15 th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting was held in Singapore on 24 th July 2008. It was attended by the Foreign Ministers and senior officials of the 10 ASEAN and 16 non-ASEAN member states plus the EU including, inter alia, US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia, Japan, Australia, South Korea and DPRK.

Following is the statement made by the Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) Mr. Masood Khalid at the meeting:

Mr. Chairman,

Excellencies, Secretary General of ASEAN,

Dear colleagues,

At the outset I would like to express our deep thanks and gratitude to the Government of Singapore for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for this important meeting

Mr. Chairman,

The present global situation calls for deepening of cooperation and consultation amongst all members of the international community. Effective utilization and strengthening of existing multilateral institutions remains a prerequisite for durable peace and sustainable development

Our vast Asia-Pacific Region is witnessing political and economic transformation. We need to promote peace and development on the basis of equal security and shared prosperity

The concept of security is no longer confined to military power alone. The nature of threats to national security now ranges from epidemics to trans-national crimes, environmental degradation, disaster management and terrorism. No state can deal with these issues effectively on its own, howsoever powerful it may be. Accordingly, collective response by the international community is needed to deal with the emerging and changing nature of threats to national security.

Mr. Chairman,

In our own neighborhood, the situation has remained disturbed due to long years of conflict and instability in Afghanistan . We share over 2400 k.m. long and porous border with Afghanistan . This is an extremely difficult and treacherous terrain which has been frequented by tribes living on both sides of the border.

Taking advantage of this situation, of late, our border area has been used by Al-Qaeda and the Taliban to foment trouble and carry out attacks against our security forces. We have estab1ished nearly 1000 check posts and deployed 120000 troops on our western border. We have put in place a comprehensive strategy to isolate the militants and to wean away the silent majority which is opposed to militancy and terrorism. This involves political empowerment, socio-economic development and selective use of force wherever and whenever required.

Pakistan has given tremendous sacrifices to uproot militancy and terrorism and to make this world a safer place. Pakistan has been doing more than its share for peace and stability in the region. In this struggle, we have lost our beloved leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and scores of innocent civilians as well as security personnel in the line of duty. We are fighting militancy and terrorism in our own national interest. We expect the international community to show understanding of Pakistan 's unwavering efforts and acknowledge its indomitable resolve to defeat terrorism and extremism.

Pakistan has a vested interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan . No other country stands to gain more from peace in Afghanistan than Pakistan . Our access to Central Asia and materialization of mega projects is not possible without peace and stability in Afghanistan . Our abiding interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan is reflected through our engagement in the reconstruction process of Afghanistan for which we have made available US$ 320 million. We would continue to assist Afghanistan in whichever way possible.

In South Asia , we are strengthening our relations with countries both bilaterally and in the ambit of SAARC. We are committed to the dialogue process with India . Both countries have recently launched the 5 th round of the composite dialogue which we hope would lead to resolution of outstanding issues between the two countries.

We support the Six Party Talks process and inter-Korea dialogue and appreciate the progress achieved so far towards denuc1earization of the Korean peninsula. We hope that all sides would show patience and persevere in their efforts for peace and stability in North East Asia .

Energy in all its forms is closely linked to economic prosperity. The recent phenomenal rise of oil price has adversely affected vulnerable segments of populations in all our countries. Pakistan , which is dependent for almost 80% of meeting its requirements of oil through import, has come under tremendous pressure. Our import bill is expected to rise to US$ 9 billion from US$ 3.7 billion last year. We need to cooperate and find innovative ways to deal with this issue. We propose that the ARF should consider initiating dialogue with, GCC countries to find ways to minimize the impact of rising fuel prices on the member states.

Another looming threat which has the potential of creating unrest and socia1 disorder is the declining availability of food items. It is high time that we join our heads together and cooperate with each other by sharing available expertise, technological know-how and best practices to overcome this challenge. I propose that the ARF may consider establishing an ISM on Food Security.

In conclusion I would like to reiterate that Pakistan would continue to play its role for maintenance of peace and stability in the world and particularly in our region. We believe that with sincerity and mutual trust the nations can realize the objectives of peace and development and achieve a better future for their peoples.

Thank you.

Islamabad

27 July 2008