ISLAMABAD: Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz emphasised on Tuesday on stepped up efforts for promoting regional connectivity, which he hoped would lead to regional prosperity.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day conference of the country’s envoys to debate on foreign policy challenges faced by the country,

Mr Aziz said that security and a non-cooperative India as the biggest obstacles to realisation of the vision of a connected region.

Also read: FO spokesperson expresses regret over Modi's Dhaka speech

The conference is being attended by envoys from Saarc, ECO and Gulf countries The conclave is likely to come up with recommendations for regional connectivity particularly in the realm of trade and energy.

“Conflicting geo-political interests, infrastructure barriers, paucity of mutual trust and policy differences coupled with institutional weaknesses and capacity limitations of the regional countries, make ours the least integrated region of the world,” the adviser had said the other day at another conference.

He also touched upon the improvement in ties with Afghanistan and the issues that were impeding further progress.

The conference is taking place at a time when the stalemate in relations with India was worsening; Kabul’s increased expectations were putting to test recent improvements in bilateral relations; and Yemen crisis has challenged the resilience of the relationship with the Arab world. Moreover, the government is working to deepen Pakistan’s ties with Central Asian States and has embarked on the mega regional connectivity project of Pakistan-China Economic Corridor.

The opening session was followed by presentations and discussions among participants on regional issues.

In one of the sessions on the conflict in Yemen, the envoys praised the government’s decision of staying out of the dispute.

“The envoys will also deliberate on connectivity in the region and will formulate recommendations for consideration of the leadership,” FO Spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2015

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