Pakistan's FM leaves for 2-day Visit of China Tomorrow
By Maria A Khan 'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister, Khurshid M. Kasuri will be leaving for China on Monday for a two-day (March 19-20) official visit.

The visit of the Foreign Minister is part of regular high level exchange of visits between the two countries.

It will provide an opportunity to review progress in bilateral relations and consider ways and means of further strengthening cooperation in diverse fields following the signing of 31 agreements recently, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Saturday.

It may be recalled that during the President’s visit to China in February 2006, 13 agreements and MOUs were signed including those on deepening economic relations, defence and energy cooperation and a large number of other areas.

During the visit of President Hu Jintao to Pakistan in November 2006, a total number of 18 Agreements were signed focusing on Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement on Goods and Investment, the Joint five-year Economic and Trade Development Programme, the Agreement to establish the Joint Investment Company and further enhancement of project cooperation including in the private sector.

The visit of Foreign Minister Kasuri will provide an opportunity to review the entire range of bilateral cooperation in trade, economic projects, joint ventures, investment, defence, youth, culture and tourism and political spheres.

He will share with his Chinese counterpart Pakistan’s perspective on the situation in Afghanistan and brief him on the progress on the Composite Dialogue process with India aimed at addressing all outstanding issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

The two Foreign Ministers will also discuss the latest developments with regard to Iran’s nuclear issue, situation in Iraq, Middle East peace process, UN Security Council reforms and other issues of regional and international importance.

During his visit, the Foreign Minister will make a policy address at the Beijing University on Pakistan’s perspective on Peace, Security and Development.

He is also expected to meet with a cross section of Chinese think-tank and other personalities.●