Statement by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan His Excellency Mr. Shah Mahmood Qureshi ON 31 DECEMBER 2009  

 

Opening Statements:

2009 has been a year of significant developments for Pakistan's foreign policy. Under the leadership of the Foreign Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has worked hard to pursue its mandate of safeguarding and promoting Pakistan's interests in the international arena. We have made significant strides, including in our bilateral relations with key countries as well as regional and international organizations.

We have also made active and sincere contributions towards promoting regional stability, peace and prosperity.

Under the directions of the leadership, special emphasis was placed on the welfare of our diaspora across the world.

During 2009 our relations with China have witnessed unprecedented bilateral activities. The President visited China three times. The Prime Minister also paid an official visit in the month of October. During these visits several Memoranda of Understanding in different fields were signed.

Our bilateral trade with China at present is around $7billion. Both our countries are committed to increase the bilateral trade to $15billion over the next two years.

We are confident that our all-weather friendship with China will continue achieving ever new heights in the times to come.

Our relations with the European Union and EU countries, including UK, France, Germany and Italy have undergone significant positive changes and, with high-level visits, bilateral cooperation with these countries has been put on the upward trajectory.

The First Pakistan-EU summit in Brussels on 17 June has helped inject further momentum into the process of securing greater market access. There is also progress towards initiating negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.

We are now working to convene the second Pakistan-EU summit sometime next year.

Relations with the US have also come a long way. President Barack Obama in his policy statement on Afghanistan on 1 December articulated a new paradigm for Pak-US relations. This new paradigm is anchored in mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual benefit. This provides a positive and solid framework to further strengthen our bilateral relations and lay strong foundations for a strategic partnership.

The visit of Secretary Hillary Clinton to Pakistan has helped increase mutual understanding on issues of mutual concern and interest.

As a result of the visit our two countries have agreed to upgrade the Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue to the Ministerial level and the first round at this level will likely take place early next year.

As for our region, Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan have witnessed a qualitative transformation following the 6 January Joint Declaration on Directions of Bilateral Relations.

Pakistan has committed development and reconstruction assistance of $300 million to Afghanistan. We are engaged in several important projects in Afghanistan in the areas of health, education and infrastructure development.

At present over 6,000 Afghan students are studying across Pakistan in different disciplines.

Stability and peace in Afghanistan is in our strategic interest. We are, therefore engaged with the US in ensuring that the new US Afghanistan policy delivers, as well as to prevent its possible negative implications for Pakistan.

Now that the new government has been constituted in Afghanistan following the Presidential election there, Pakistan will remain in the forefront to help Afghanistan in all possible ways towards bringing about peace and stability in the country.

During 2009 several trilateral and quadrilateral processes were initiated with Afghanistan involving Turkey, Iran, US, Russia and Tajikistan. These significant processes have provided us useful avenues to put across our views on regional issues.

Pakistan looks forward to actively participating in the international London Conference on Afghanistan on 28 January 2010 to achieve maximum practicable results.

As for India, the Sharm el Sheikh Summit was a significant development. Unfortunately, India continues refusing to move forward. The ball is now in India‘s court. Pakistan on its part will continue making sincere efforts towards resolving all bilateral issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute with a view to attaining a viable and lasting peace in South Asia. Meanwhile, we are sparing no effort to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack to book.

Our close and brotherly relations with Muslim countries, especially Iran, Turkey Saudi Arabia and the UAE have further strengthened. We greatly appreciate their active support in carrying forward the Friends of Democratic Pakistan process.

Talking of the FODP, its first summit, co-chaired by President Zardari, President Obama and Prime Minister Brown, was held in New York on 24 September. The summit expressed full support to Pakistan in the ongoing fight against terrorism and committed assistance to address our security and development challenges.

Pakistan has also continued working actively in international and regional organizations and protecting and promoting its legitimate interests.

Whether it is the United Nations or the Conference on Disarmament, Pakistan's positions on the issues being dealt with there is based on principles and we are resolved never to compromise on principles.

Question/Answer Session

Q: On the one hand the Foreign Minister says the US should not disengage from Afghanistan on the other hand he has voiced concerns about Pakistan's security interests due to the American troop surge? Can you please explain this?

A: As a matter of fact what we say is that a hasty withdrawal would not be desirable. Afghanistan should be able to look after itself effectively before the Coalition Forces leave. However, regarding the surge there are some concerns and we are in discussion with the US on that.

Q: Can you kindly comment on the recent statement by the Indian Army Chief that the Indian Army can take on both Pakistan and China at the same time?

A: Such statements by the Indian Army Chief betray hostile intent as well as hegemonic and jingoistic mindset which is in fact quite out of step with the realities of our time. No one should ever underestimate our capability and determination to foil any designs against the security of Pakistan. The international community should take due notice of such statements. Pakistan remains mindful to threats posed to its security as well as the importance of promoting peace in the region.

Q: The drone attacks continue despite Pakistan Government assurances that it is being discussed with the US? Kindly comment on this issue?

A: This is one area where we have differences with the US and wherever and whenever we get a chance we put across our point of view. We hope the US would understand that these attacks are not serving any useful purpose, contrary to that they are counterproductive

Q: Pakistan may have been generous in donating $ 300 million to Afghanistan. However, India has a lot of influence in Afghanistan and has been using it against Pakistan. What are your comments please?

A: We do have concerns and these concerns have been discussed several times with Afghanistan and other relevant countries. We hope that our concerns will be taken seriously because we do want this region, Afghanistan to stabilize. Should this interference continue, I am afraid things will not improve.

Q: Talking about interference India has expressed concern on Gurdwara land issue in Pakistan? Is this not interference? Please comment

A: Our Constitution gives full protection to minorities and their rights. As you all know there is a separate Ministry of Minority Affairs to ensure the progress and welfare of minorities. This particular issue you mentioned is being looked into by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. The Indian concerns indeed are uncalled for.

Q: India says that it will consider signing the CTBT once US and China sign it. What is Pakistan's position on the CTBT?

A: This is not under consideration. However, whenever the time comes our decision vis-à-vis the CTBT will be based purely on our national security requirements, that is, to maintain credible nuclear deterrence.

Q: Why didn't the Government allow the UN commission investigating Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's assassination to meet the Army officials? How much is the expenditure on this?

A: With regard to the total expenditure, it will come to 4 to 5 Million US $. Pakistan is paying close to 3 Million US $. The rest is being paid by the UAE and the US. As for your first question I am not aware of such a request. In any case a decision will be taken when such a request is received.

Q: A dossier was prepared on the Indian involvement in Baluchistan and Waziristan. When will we hand over that to India?

A: As was stated by our Prime Minister we will proceed ahead as and when we deem appropriate.

Q: What is the status of the payment on KLL? When will Pakistan receive the first tranche? What action of the US in Afghanistan would help allay Pakistan's security concerns?

A: The first tranche is likely to come soon. My own understanding is it should be sometime next month. As for your second question the whole international community is aware of Pakistan's policy and position. We believe peace and stability in Afghanistan is possible if we pursue a three pronged strategy; Deterrence, Dialogue and Development. All these elements have been touched upon in the new US Afghanistan Policy.

Q: We kept on hearing that the Government of Pakistan would repatriate the Afghan refugees as they pose security risk, however, they have been allowed to stay for another three years. Please comment why are they not being repatriated?

A: We do have concerns and as you know we are looking after these close to 3 Million Afghan refugees from our own meager resources. However, Afghanistan is a friendly country. We also understand that there are issues involving their immediate return to Afghanistan. Though we would like them to return as early as possible, given the humanitarian aspect, we would not like to put these refugees in any difficult situation. We hope peace returns to Afghanistan enabling them to return to their homeland with dignity and honour.

Q: Can you comment on President Barack Obama's statement that the US will follow terrorists into Pakistan?

A: Our position is very clear. We will not accept any foreign boots on our soil.

Q: Is there any back Channel Diplomacy going on between Pakistan and India? What will Pakistan's stance be to any out of box solution presented by India in resolving the Kashmir dispute?

A: There is no back channel diplomacy with India currently on the Kashmir dispute. At the end of the day as Pakistan has been saying all along, if India is interested in resolving this issue it can be done but we do not see that readiness and sincerity on the part of India to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.

Q: You spoke of MoUs with China in your opening statement. Can you please tell how many MoUs and in what areas were signed with China? How many have been implemented?

A: I need to check on this and will get back to you.

Q:

1. Can you kindly comment on progress on the following matters:

2. Pakistanis detained in different countries, specifically those taken by Somali pirates?

3. Update on Dr. Afia Siddiqui's case?

4. Passports belonging to Pakistani citizens have been lost by the UK High Commission in Pakistan?

A:

1.I did mention in my statement that the Foreign Office is placing special emphasis on the welfare of our diaspora. This also includes those Pakistanis who have been detained abroad. We are trying to extend all possible facilities to those detained abroad. We have also been trying to get those repatriated to Pakistan who have completed their respective sentences. It is an ongoing process.

2. As for Pakistani fishing vessel and Pakistanis captured by Somali pirates, our Embassy in Nairobi is in touch with Somali authorities. Let us hope our efforts yield positive results.

3. As regards Dr. Afia the Government of Pakistan through our Embassy in Washington has been pursuing this unfortunate case at all levels. As a matter of fact our leadership has also on various occasions broached this subject with the US leadership including President Barack Obama to repatriate her, to let her come to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. The formal trial is due to start from the 19 th of January. Rest assured we are sparing no effort in this regard. Though our diplomatic efforts have not yet yielded results, we are doing our best to win her back legally.

4. As for the British High Commission losing our passports the matter has been taken up by our Additional Secretary (Europe) earlier this week. We conveyed our concerns. The British High Commission has assured us that they are in the process of taking measures to ensure such lapses do not recur in future.

Q: Is it true that Americans have been asked not to land in any city other than Islamabad?

A: No, this report is incorrect.

Q: What is an update on the 5 US citizens arrested in Sargodha? Will they be extradited to the USA? Do we have an extradition treaty with the US?

A: Their remand was extended till 4 of January. Much will depend on the findings of our interrogations. We do have an extradition treaty with the US as a successor state of British India. The Extradition Treaty was ratified by the US and British India in 1932. Ratification instruments were exchanged at London on August 4, 1932.