ISLAMABAD, June 3: The third meeting of the Asean-Pakistan Joint Sectoral Dialogue Cooperation Committee (APJSCC) will begin here on Monday.

A Foreign Office statement said: “The Third APJSCC meeting will provide Pakistan an opportunity to strengthen its relations with Asean leading to more avenues of cooperation.”

The meeting which takes place after five years acquires significance in view of Pakistan’s bid for full dialogue partnership in Asean, which is considered an effective forum of regional cooperation.

Pakistan was accorded status of a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of Asean in July 1997.

Asean Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong would lead the Asean delegation comprising representatives of 10-member countries. Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan would head the Pakistan delegation.

During the two-day deliberations, Pakistan and the Asean would review progress in the eight areas of Sectoral cooperation. The areas of cooperation include trade, industry, investment, environment, science and technology, tourism, drugs and narcotics control, and human resource development.

“Pakistan places great emphasis on its relations with Asean and its member countries and has been endeavouring to enhance mutually beneficial collaboration with dynamic economies of South East Asia,” the Foreign Office spokesperson said, adding: “A manifestation of this special focus is the regular exchange of high-level visits between Pakistan and Asean member states.”

The Asean has a combined population of 600 million people with per capita GDP of US$4,998. It interacts closely with major economies of the world including the US, Japan, China and the EU.

The first meeting of the Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee was held in Bali, Indonesia, in February 1999 and the second in Islamabad from February 28 to March 1, 2001.

During his stay, the Asean secretary-general would call on the president, the prime minister and the foreign minister.