DUSHANBE, Tajikistan: The 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) Ministerial Conference began in Tajikistan’s Capital Dushanbe on Tuesday (March 30, 2021) with the theme “Strengthening Consensus for Peace and Development.”
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi accompanied by the Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood Pakistan’s Ambassador in Tajikistan Imran Haider and Senior Officers of the Foreign Office is attending the Conference.
In his special address at the 9th HoA-IP Ministerial Conference, Shah Mehmood Qureshi will highlight the positive efforts of Pakistan with regard to the Afghan peace process and its support for Afghanistan’s development within the regional framework.
Today at the 9th Heart of Asia Ministerial Conference in Dushanbe, I expressed Pakistan’s confidence that the “Dushanbe Declaration” would reflect our common resolve to standby and support the Afghan people at this most consequential time in their history. pic.twitter.com/spQyhUxx63
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 30, 2021
Pakistan will continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic, sovereign and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with it’s neighbors. https://t.co/RSuMlZeDlJ
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 30, 2021
Meanwhile talking to the media prior to attending the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference, the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that there is a consensus that the Afghan conflict has no solution other than the comprehensive dialogue.
The foreign minister said that Pakistan has been realizing the world for years that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict.
Qureshi says that the world knows about Pakistan’s efforts for peace, adding that we are keeping an eye on the future.
وزیر خارجہ شاہ محمود قریشی کا ہارٹ آف ایشیا استنبول پراسس اجلاس کے حوالے سے میڈیا ٹاک@SMQureshiPTI pic.twitter.com/EwDoESQf8z
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) March 30, 2021
The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was initiated in 2011, and it’s an important platform to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan through regional cooperation, confidence-building measures (CBMs), and dialogue.
Pakistan attaches high importance to this process and has been a regular contributor to the advancement of its objectives. It is the lead Country for the Disaster Management and Agriculture Development CBMs under the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process.
In 2015, Pakistan co-chaired the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process along with Afghanistan, and hosted its 5th Ministerial Conference in Islamabad.
Earlier on Monday, the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Turkish Counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the 9th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia–Istanbul Process.
During the meeting, the two foreign ministers discussed myriad dimensions of Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations including political and diplomatic engagement, economic cooperation, defence ties, and collaboration in education and cultural fields.
The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the regional situation.
Great discussions with my brother @MevlutCavusoglu ahead of Heart of Asia–Istanbul Process conf, strengthening 🇵🇰 🇹🇷 excellent bilateral relations. Shared views on Afghan peace process highlighting that an inclusive and broad-based political settlement is the way forward. pic.twitter.com/JZ2bZSotOb
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) March 29, 2021
