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PARIS, Oct 18: The French foreign ministry has told Pakistan and India that it is “very pleased” that they have decided to withdraw troops from their border.
According to the Quai d’Orsay spokesman, Francois Rivasseau, “It’s a decision which goes in the right direction.”
“France,” he added, “hopes that these measures of de- escalation will permit the undertaking of a dialogue between India and Pakistan on the differences that oppose them.”
On the previous day, the French foreign ministry had indicated that with regard to Pakistan’s Oct 10 elections, “France will continue to pay its closest attention to this political transition.”
Asked to comment on the publication of a preliminary report by the observers’ mission sent to Pakistan by the European Union, Rivasseau succinctly characterized the document as “severe.”
He also said that “after the elections the next stage of the restoration of democracy (to Pakistan) will be the installation of the new assembly and the formation of a civilian government. France will continue to pay its closest attention to this political transition.”
Our correspondent from Islamabad adds: Japan has welcomed Pakistan’s decision to withdraw its forces from positions on the border with India to peace-time locations, as a positive step for reducing tension between the two countries.
A press release issued here on Friday said that Japan sincerely hoped that these steps by India and Pakistan will bring further progress in the reduction of tensions and lead to early resumption of dialogue between them.
APP adds: 18 China has welcomed Pakistan’s decision to pull back its troops from the borders with India to their peacetime positions.
“This reflects the commitment of the government of Pakistan to resolve its disputes with India through peaceful means,” said Chinese official sources.
The sources told APP that Chinese government will support all those efforts, which help reduce tension in the region.
The sources emphasized that India and Pakistan should also resume dialogue as early as possible to resolve their disputes including the issue of Kashmir for lasting peace and progress in the region.
As a neighbour of south Asia and mutual friend of India and Pakistan, China has always called on the two countries, in the spirit of choosing peace over conflict, to end the confrontation, restore direct dialogue and to resolve differences in a peaceful way.
This is not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples, but also in line with expectations in the international community, the sources added.
