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ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Major world powers have welcomed the outcome of the 12th Saarc summit and the joint statement by Pakistan and India to resume composite dialogue next month as historic and momentous.
The foreign ministers of China, UK and Canada have called their Pakistani counterpart, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, and congratulated him on the joint statement and on the signing of SAFTA agreement.
They also asked the foreign minister to convey their felicitations to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on the successful conclusion of Saarc Summit. They felt that the commencement of a composite dialogue would result in a solution of all outstanding issues between the two countries including Kashmir.
UK: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw hoped that the commencement of the dialogue would help resolution of all issues including Kashmir. He also hoped that the breakthrough would take forward the process of normalization for the commencement of composite dialogue.
He appreciated the statesmanship of President Musharraf and expressed the hope that the two countries would maintain steady progress in their dialogue. While commending the momentum of their current moves, he told Mr Kasuri that UK would continue to take interest in the normalization of relations between Pakistan and India.
CHINA: Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing by a phone call congratulated his Pakistani counterpart, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri on the successful holding of Saarc summit and making a breakthrough in the efforts of normalizing relations with India.
Mr Li, who is currently visiting Comoros, referring to the positive outcome of the Saarc summit and the decision taken by Pakistan and India to resume dialogue from next month, said, "this is a positive and encouraging development towards promotion of peace and development in South Asia."
Mr Li said, the important documents passed by the Saarc Summit has set the objectives of the Saarc and would promote regional peace and development, which serves the interests of the people of South Asia.
EU: The European Union has also welcomed the outcome of the Saarc Summit and said it represents encouraging steps towards regional integration. "President Prodi, on behalf of the EU and on his own behalf particularly noted the agreement to implement a South Asian Free Trade Area and said all Saarc countries will reap enormous benefits. This also constitutes a formidable signal for strengthened regional cooperation."
In a statement released here he congratulated all member states on this achievement and said the range of decisions taken and the significant Summit results represent encouraging steps towards enhanced regional integration.
GERMANY: Germany while welcoming the Pakistan-India joint statement to resume dialogue next month said it hopes that the composite dialogue will "lead to a permanent normalization Pakistan-India relations", a German embassy statement here on Wednesday said.
