ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Monday that Pakistan looked forward to deepening of its ties with Asean, through a Full Dialogue Partnership, and signing of a Free Trade Agreement with Asean in the near future.
He stressed that Pakistan's “Vision East Asia” policy was not driven by economic impulses only, adding that, of course, one of the most important imperatives, but more significantly, it was driven by its policy commitment to play a constructive and meaningful role at various regional levels, particularly in South and South East Asia.
He was speaking at RSIS Singapore while delivering a lecture on “Pakistan in the Next Decade, Prospects and Challenges”, said a message received here from Singapore.
The Foreign Minister said the 21st century was the Asian Century. There had been tectonic shift of global attention to Asia, due to its phenomenal economic development, he said, adding that major Asian countries were emerging markets.
Although the global financial crisis has had adverse impact on many economies, the current moment of global recovery is centered on Asia, he added.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that Pakistan wished to become a partner with South East Asia in realizing the vision and dreams of the Asian Century.
Asean as a dynamic regional forum has transformed South-East Asia to a fast growing region, he said, adding that its leadership had displayed a credible political determination and will to build strong and vibrant economies.
He further stated that the contours of Pakistan's “Vision East Asia” Policy of 1990s have taken concrete shape over the years. “We have forged bilateral and multilateral ties with South East Asia and the Pacific Region,” he added.
