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PR. No. 140/2009
Date: 02/04/2009
FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI ATTENDS THE HAGUE CONFERENCE
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi represented Pakistan at the International Conference on Afghanistan held in The Hague on 31 March 2009. The Conference was attended by over 80 countries a large number of which were represented by their respective Foreign Ministers. These included US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Foreign Ministers of Russia, France Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Turkey and other important countries.
The Conference proved to be a landmark event as there was broad agreement for a fresh approach and a comprehensive strategy to promote peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan in particular, and in the region in general. The Conference issued a Chairman’s Statement that focused on a holistic approach, underscoring promotion of good governance, accelerating economic growth and development, strengthening security and expanding regional cooperation. The outcome of the Conference vindicates the approach Pakistan has been vigorously advocating.
Most speakers at the Conference acknowledged Pakistan’s key role in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Qureshi outlined key elements of a sustainable solution, based upon a regional comprehensive approach that places strong focus on development and reconstruction, winning hearts and minds, building local ownership and initiating a healing process through an Afghan led process of reconciliation based on genuine dialogue.
The Foreign Minister held a useful bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and held in-depth exchange of views on mutual cooperation. The Secretary of State apprised Foreign Minister Qureshi of the wide ranging measures the Obama Administration envisages to assist Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister also held meetings with the Prime Minister of The Netherlands, the Vice Foreign Minister of China, and the Foreign Ministers of Japan, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Canada and The Netherlands.
Islamabad
2 April 2009 |