Efforts to attain FDP status in ASEAN reviewed: Pakistani envoys meet Qureshi

Pakistan envoys to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries met with Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the chair to review country's relations and level of co-operation with the organisation. The meeting held in Jakarta, Indonesia, also reviewed prospects of enhancing economic and trade linkages with the region, said a message received here from Jakarta.
As Pakistan is making efforts for attaining full dialogue partnership (FDP) status in ASEAN, the meeting discussed strategy to give a conclusive end to these efforts.
Qureshi informed the meeting that his interaction with the Indonesian leadership was very fruitful. He received assurance on Indonesia's support for Pakistan's bid to secure FDP status in ASEAN. There was also consensus on enhancing co-operation in areas of defence, bilateral trade, counter terrorism, disaster mitigation and other fields.
He called upon the envoys to adopt a proactive approach for improving Pakistan's economic standing in their countries of accreditation besides maintaining close liaison with the top leadership. High level of engagement with ASEAN region, he added, would facilitate efforts for obtaining FDP status for Pakistan.
The foreign minister stressed that futuristic approach in present day diplomacy is the foremost requirement and envoys needed to focus on areas, which could bring dividends, both economic and political, in times to come.
He exhorted the envoys to plead Pakistan's case for FDP effectively so that the goal could be realised in 2011 when Indonesia assumes chairmanship of ASEAN. That, he said, would be a good opportunity for Pakistan to take its case for FDP to a conclusive end.
Qureshi expressed desire for preparation of a full-fledged plan of action that could help realise the objective of enhancing Pak-ASEAN co-operation and bringing it at par with the organisation's co-operation with other countries.
He emphasised visits by the top leadership as well as himself to various countries to back efforts by respective envoys for improvement in bilateral relations.
On the occasion, the envoys put forth proposals for projecting a soft image of Pakistan, economic ties and cultural outlook in the region. They also dilated about the impediments in this regard. Pakistan's High Commissioner to Brunei Lieutenant General Sallah U din, High Commissioner to Malaysia Masood Khalid, High Commissioner to Singapore, Fauzia M. Sana, Ambassador of Pakistan to Vietnam, Shahid M G Kiani, Ambassador of Pakistan to Philippines, Mohsin Razi.