|
|
|
| November 7, 2003 | Friday | Ramazan 11, 1424 |
India invited to help draw peace roadmap
SEOUL, Nov 6: President Gen Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday Pakistan sought a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute through substantive talks with India, and expressed the hope that New Delhi will join Pakistan in drawing a roadmap for durable peace in South Asia.
Addressing a state banquet, hosted in his honour by South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, the president said like Korea, “Pakistan is engaged in efforts to promote peace and stability in its region.”
“We have urged India to resume substantive talks with Pakistan for finding a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” he said.
The president informed the Korean leaders that Islamabad “favours dialogue” for conflicts resolution.
“We believe that any solution to be durable must be acceptable to the parties concerned. It is imperative that peace be founded on justice, sovereignty and equality and cemented by international law and universal moral norms.”
He said Pakistan “fully supports” efforts at finding a peaceful solution to the crisis in the Korean Peninsula.
“We endorse the spirit, sentiments and directions of the policy of peace and prosperity that your government is pursuing,” he said.
Gen Musharraf said: “Pakistan supports dialogue and peaceful solution to the question relating to the nuclear dimension of the crisis.
“We appreciate the constructive role of your government in seeking amity and understanding with North Korea.”
He expressed the hope that the process of six-party talks will contribute to a peaceful outcome.
Reiterating Pakistan’s stand on terrorism, he said the country was determined to play its role in fighting the menace.
In his welcome remarks, South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun said the potential for cooperation between the two countries was substantial.
“I trust that the bilateral agreements signed today on cooperation in the areas of information, communication, energy and mineral resources will serve as springboard to even stronger mutual collaboration.”
He said: “We also believe that close Korea-Pakistan cooperation will act as a potent force in bringing peace and stability to the Korean Peninsula.”
So far, he said, Korea “has been making multilateral efforts” to help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue peacefully, and countries around the world, including Pakistan, “have given us firm support.”
“As a result, the nuclear problem is showing signs of moving toward a resolution. We expect that the second round of the six-party talks will take place, and that when the talks resume, further advanced measures will be discussed.”
The Korean president said, geographically, Korea and Pakistan are far apart, but have a history of interaction dating back to the ancient times. The two sides have continued to maintain these close ties.—Agencies
|
|
|
|
