Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has said that for the success of the current composite dialogue with India the two sides will have to adopt flexible approaches to their mutual problems and find realistic ways and means for their realisation of solutions.
He said that the current Pakistan-Indian talks were not conditional but were being ruled by a sincere desire to have a lasting peace in the region by finding solutions to thorny questions like the dispute on Jammu and Kashmir.
In a year-end review of the foreign policy at an Iftar for representatives of local media persons here on Monday evening, Kasuri said that Kashmir solution would be possible only by taking into account the "legitimate aspirations of the people of Kashmir".
Pakistan, he said, "is not in a position to impose a solution on the people of Jammu and Kashmir and hence there is a need for constructive discussions among the Kashmiris themselves to chalk out a forward strategy.
The challenge is to find a solution, which is acceptable to them, Pakistan and India, he stressed in a three-page written statement.
Kasuri hailed the signing of the South Asia Free Trade Agreement between the seven nations of Saarc, saying that it would provide a "roadmap for a fast-track regional growth and development" for prosperity of regional nations.
Similarly, he spoke out about Pakistan's relations with the European Union, USA, the Muslim nations, Islamabad's commitment to Bonn Agreement on Afghanistan and its role in organising out-of-country Afghan Presidential elections.
The Foreign Minister underlined the strengthening of the "time-tested friendship with China" and also the moderating role it had played about Iraq in the UN Security Council.
His full review of the foreign policy said: "Pakistan's foreign policy reflects national aspirations and is responsive to regional and international imperatives. The world is going through a difficult period of change. The civilian Government has been proactive in its foreign policy. With the element of continuity in the foreign policy, there has also been a change of emphasis and nuance.
"In these challenging times, the conduct and direction of our foreign policy has enabled us to make the right choices and protect the vital interests of Pakistan's security and promote its economic and social development.
"There is appreciation of the role that Pakistan is playing in the promotion of regional peace and security and in the containment of terrorism.
"Pakistan's commitment to the peace with India, aimed at addressing of outstanding issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, remains undiminished. Thaw in relations with India, which began in 2003, has continued. Pakistan and India took a number of confidence-building measures to lower tensions and agreed on November 25, 2003 to cease-fire on the Line of Control and Siachen. That cease-fire is holding. It remains our hope that the Composite Dialogue process of which we have concluded the first round, would be result-oriented and progress will be achieved on all issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
"The dialogue process, which was initiated by the joint statement of President Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee on January 6 this year was given an impetus when President Musharraf met with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh last September in New York. The joint statement following the meeting is a testimony to the fact that India has agreed to explore all options for a peaceful negotiated settlement of Jammu & Kashmir in a sincere spirit and peaceful manner.
"Pakistan has espoused steadfastly the just case of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. In our view a solution of the Kashmir issue would be possible only by taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
"We have already agreed to commence the next round of the Composite Dialogue. We have also held other meetings outside the Dialogue Format.
"We believe that time has come for taking steps towards the realisation of the Kashmir aspirations. There is a need for constructive discussion among the Kashmiris, to chalk out a forward strategy. It is not merely enough to make a statement of principle but find realistically ways and means of its realisation. The challenge is to find a solution that is acceptable to the people of Kashmir, Pakistan and India.
"In the world of today, regional co-operation in one of the ways which provides a roadmap for a fast-track regional growth and development and national prosperity. The signing of Safta during the Saarc Summit in January 2004, was an indication of the emphasis that we place on such co-operation.
"With our western neighbour, Afghanistan, Pakistan has forged close relations. We have maintained high level contacts and we have extended full support to the Karzai Government and to the Bonn process, since a peaceful, stable and a prosperous Afghanistan is in our national interest. Pakistan extended all out support to UNAMA and IOM in organising the out of country presidential elections in Pakistan. This augurs well for Afghanistan's stability as well as for peace and security in the region.
"Pakistan's proactive approach in its foreign policy has been manifested by our growing engagement with European Union, East Asian including Asean and Japan, strengthening of time-tested friendship with China, enhancement of ties with the Islamic world and conclusion of a five-year military and economic package with the US in June 2003.
"In the context of Iraq, that is a matter of great public sensitivity in Pakistan, we had opposed invasion of Iraq and have called for the withdrawal of foreign troops as soon as possible. At the same time we remain committed to territorial integrity and national unity of Iraq. Pakistan played a moderating role as a member of the Security Council. Pakistan has also consulted regularly with other friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey about the situation in Iraq.
"Pakistan continues its policy of active support to the international coalition against terrorism and its contribution in strengthening regional peace and international security. As a result, Pakistan's voice and role is respected in the world. This has contributed to various recent success of the foreign policy including successful hosting of 12th Saarc Summit by Pakistan, designation of Pakistan by USA as a Major non-NATO ally, ratification of Third Generation Agreement with EU, re-admission of Pakistan to the Commonwealth and admission of Pakistan to the Asian Regional Forum (ARF).
"Pakistan's constructive role in the dealing with Dr A Q Khan's issue has been well received by the international community. The Government through various measures was able to address individual lapses of the past and improved institutional controls. The international community now recognises Pakistan as a responsible nuclear power that has acted with maturity in this case. We are continuing our co-operation with IAEA and USA in this regard.
"Pakistan believes that the expansion of the Security Council is an issue of major political significance for the international community. Pakistan has advocated that the expansion of the Security Council should be limited only to non-permanent members and the reform should be based on caution, comprehensiveness and consensus. It is a matter of satisfaction that the OIC Foreign Minister recently adopted a statement which said that any reform proposal which neglected the adequate presentation of the Muslim Ummah, in any category of members, in an expanded Security Council, will not be acceptable to the Muslim countries.
These are challenging time. Our policy of active engagement, commitment to regional peace and security, containment of terrorism has served our national interests well. We believe that this policy also enjoys widespread support in the country".
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