ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday said that African Countries must prepare themselves to benefit from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and One Belt One Road (OBOR).
During a luncheon in honor of Ambassadors/High Commissioners of African Countries including South Africa, Tunis, Kenya, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Nigeria, Mauritius and Libya at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, the president said that these projects were not only beneficial for this region but they also have a great significance in connecting different parts of the world.
The president said that Pakistan’s importance in the region had increased manifold after the start of CPEC and Pakistan’s future was bright. He said that CPEC and OBOR was the greatest initiative of this century under which different regions could change the fate of their people by coming closer to each other.
President Mamnoon emphasized that Africa had a special place in Pakistan’s foreign policy, adding that Pakistan had adopted ‘Look Africa Policy’ to further strengthen relations with African Countries. He said that the basic objective of this policy is to further expand cooperation in political, educational, cultural and economic fields so that the trade volume between Pakistan and African Countries can be further increased.
Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan and African Countries had several commonalities in political, economic, investment and tourism sectors adding that maximum benefits could be gained by enhancing bilateral cooperation in these areas.
In addition, he said that Pakistan had achieved significant successes in war against terrorism, and African Countries could benefit from its experiences in addressing the menace of terrorism.
The president said that Pakistan had rendered immense sacrifices in fight against terrorism and now by the Grace of Allah Almighty Pakistan had overcome this menace to a great extent.
President Mamnoon said that African Countries could benefit from Pakistan’s experiences in this regard. He also offered training for African officers in different fields including defense and foreign affairs.
The president also the president congratulated Ambassadors/High Commissioners of African Countries on the 54th anniversary of formation of the African Union (AU).
On the occasion, the High Commissioner of South Africa (Dean for Africa) Mpendulo Jele said that Pakistan had successfully faced the scourge of terrorism which was commendable.
The Nigerian ambassador expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s cooperation in addressing the menace of terrorism in Nigeria.
The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, the Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and other senior officials were also present.
