Minister for Foreign Affairs, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri on Thursday said the shift in international community stance towards Pakistan is a major achievement of the present government.
"We have managed to formulate as well as implement a successful foreign policy during the last five years," he said this while responding to a question about the steps taken by the government to improve and enhance country's image abroad.
In his reply during the question-hour in National Assembly, the Minister said Pakistan's efforts to promote peace are widely recognised and hailed by the world community.
He said due to successful foreign policy, Pakistan enjoys excellent ties with China, European Union, United States and OIC countries, Pakistan also enjoys good relations with Russia.
Additionally, he said, US co-operation and support in various fields and designation of Pakistan as a Major Non-Nato Ally has also given a new dimension to the long-term relationship between the two countries.
Referring to Pak-India composite dialogue, the minister said it has been set in motion, adding foreign secretaries of both countries have held three rounds of talks while fourth round is due in December 2004.
Kasuri further informed that the foreign ministers had met in September where they reviewed the progress of the dialogue. Indian Foreign Minister is expected to visit Pakistan in a couple of months.
Regarding the 12th Saarc Summit, he said it contributed to the climate of peace and stability in the region. As Chairman, Pakistan is working to raise the profile of the organisation and to increase harmony among the member states.
He said Pakistan has been able to enter into Asian Regional Forum and the Chinese and Russian governments have approved in principle our admission into the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation.
The minister said Pakistan's denouncing of illegal fencing by Israel in Palestine was also supplemented by the International Court of Justice.
"We also enjoy friendly and close ties with Central Asian states, Iran and Turkey and the mega-project of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipe line is well on its way to development," he added.
The minister said a peaceful Afghanistan is vital for the security and stability of the region. The Kabul Declaration reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to a sovereign, peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.
"Our pledge of 100 million dollar is being utilised in consultation with the Afghan government for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of that country," Khurshid Kasuri further informed the House.
He said Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad are continuously engaged in enhancing the image of Pakistan by highlighting its substantial progress and impressive accomplishments in various fields.
Earlier, replying to another question, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar told the House that Pakistan has not attained the membership of Asean.
He said Asean is the group of regional countries belonging to South East Asia. The countries outside the region can be associated with Asean as dialogue partners or sectoral partners, adding, Pakistan is presently a Sectoral Partner in eight areas namely trade, industry, investment, environment, science and technology, tourism, drug and narcotics and human resource development.
He said in July 2004 Pakistan became the member of Asean Regional Forum (APF) meant to deal with peace and security in the Asia and pacific region.
Khusro Bakhtiar said Pakistan's inclusion in the ARF is recognition of the role it is playing in promoting regional and international peace and security.
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