ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar on Monday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhance and deepen the existing relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at all levels and in all areas of cooperation as well as bilateral trade.
Speaking at an event held in connection with the 55th anniversary of ASEAN Day, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs highlighted Pakistan’s association with the forum and the importance it gives to its relations with the member states.
She pointed out that Pakistan’s relations with ASEAN is quite old and dynamic, adding that Pakistan was accorded the sectoral dialogue status of ASEAN at the 26th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on 23 July 1993 followed by the inaugural meeting of the ASEAN-Pakistan Sectoral Dialogue Relations on 5-7 November 1997 in Islamabad.
She added that Pakistan acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia on 2nd of July 2004 in Jakarta. On the same day, she added that Pakistan was also admitted as the 24th participant of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Over the last three decades, Khar said that Pakistan-ASEAN relations have continued to grow, adding that Pakistan attaches great importance to this relationship. “We wish to expand and deepen our existing relationship in the region through enhanced engagement at all levels and in all areas of cooperation,” she said. She said that Pakistan gives importance to its relations with ASEAN states by posturing bilateral trade.
She said that Pakistan believes a strong and prosperous South Asia is important for the stability and prosperity of the entire Asia Pacific and beyond. “We hope that by attaining the full dialogue partner, Pakistan will further contribute to the regional peace and prosperity,” she added.
Speaking as chairman of the ASEAN Committee, Ambassador of Vietnam, Nguyen Tien said that ASEAN has contributed tremendously to the stability and prosperity of the region and beyond. After 55 years of its coming into being, he added that ASEAN has turned into a community, encompassing political security and social/ cultural bearers. “Responding to the regional and international developments, it is our unity in diversity,” he states.
He pointed out that ASEAN is enjoying friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Pakistan, adding that the two sides are making efforts to further deepen the existing relations and cooperation in all areas, including political, cultural, science and technology, education, training, and specifically trade and investment.
The trade volume between Pakistan and ASEAN countries is $11 billion in the fiscal year 2022, adding that this volume will continue to increase rapidly in the coming years because of the ASEAN-FTA and the economic policies of Pakistan’s government. “This will create a favourable atmosphere for trade between the two sides to exploit the huge potential between ASEAN and Pakistan,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials and members of the diplomatic community in large numbers.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022
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