December 17, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 22, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: Indonesia on Tuesday reaffirmed its support to help Pakistan get into the regional forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) during talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries, the foreign ministry said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Dr N. Hassan Wirajuda held a separate meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on the last day of Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri’s three-day visit to Pakistan, a ministry statement said.

Mr Wirajuda “reiterated his country’s support for Pakistan’s membership of the Asean regional forum and discussed with Foreign Minister Kasuri various details in this regard,” it said.

The statement said the two ministers also exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues with emphasis on developing and strengthening cooperation between their countries.

The ministers, who will also head a joint ministerial commission for bilateral cooperation being set up by the two sides, will meet annually to facilitate regular consultations, cooperation and follow-up action, it said.

Mr Kasuri informed Mr Wirajuda about the steps recently taken by Pakistan to build confidence with India, but said there was need to resume dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi to address all outstanding issues, including the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir.

The statement said the joint commission was expected to ensure a follow-up mechanism of decisions taken by the leaders of the two countries and would promote bilateral cooperation between the two countries on a long-term basis.