ISLAMABAD, June 25: The unanimous decision by the Association of South East Asian Nations member countries to endorse Pakistan’s entry into the regional forum is a reflection of the country’s successful and mature foreign policy, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said on Wednesday.

On his return from Thailand after attending a meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue, which was attended by leaders and ministers from 18 countries, he said all Asian ministers who met him appreciated Pakistan’s foreign policy and its conduct as a Security Council member.

They particularly appreciated Pakistan’s stand on Iraq and its role in the fight against terrorism, he said.

Mr Kasuri had meetings with Thailand Prime Minister Dr Thaksin Shinawatra and the foreign ministers of China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, Laos and Cambodia, besides parliamentary and political leaders of Thailand.

He said Pakistan was grateful to its friends in the Asean that unanimously supported its inclusion in the forum.

He said India’s efforts for Pakistan’s entry on a procedural point, that the item was not on the agenda, was regrettable in view of the efforts of the international community and the prime ministers of the two countries to initiate a dialogue to resolve all outstanding issues.—APP