Pak-Germany on same side for endgame in Afghanistan
254 viewsBy jazbablog - Fri Nov 18, 5:52 pm
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Germany are on the same page for peace in Afghanistan as the two countries has said that they have no hidden agenda for endgame in Afghanistan.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, while dressing a joint press conference along with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar here in the foreign office after meeting between them, said that Germany has no hidden agenda in Afghanistan.
He said that Germany believes that Pakistan is playing a very important role for secure future of Afghanistan and the region.
The German foreign minister also realized that Pakistan suffered a lot due to terrorism, adding that a large number of people lost their lives in Pakistan in various incidents relating to terrorism.
He said that an International moot on Afghanistan would be held in Bonn on December 5 and the basic idea is ‘transition to transformation’.
“We had no hidden agenda in Afghanistan and to be frank we existed in Afghanistan to secure ourselves,” he said.
Replying to a question, he said international community would continue support of Afghanistan after 2014, when transition would be started.
He said that military bases in Afghanistan would not come to end with the deadline as training of Afghan forces and supportive services would continue but strategy for solution of Afghanistan’s problem is political process.
On her turn, Hina Khar also clarified that Pakistan had no hidden agenda in Afghanistan. “I say stable, developed and peaceful Afghanistan is a selfish wish of Pakistan,” she said.
Turning to her meetings with Westerwelle, she said, “I have assured the German Foreign Minister that Pakistan will continue to play constructive role in Afghanistan.”
To a question, she said that negative perceptions about role of Pakistan only exist in newspapers and no one could so far handed over to her any proof behind the close doors.
She said that mistakes of past should not be repeated as in the past the region was battle ground of foreign powers. The militants were trained by foreign forces and Pakistan, Khar further said.
On Pak-Afghan relations, she said that Pakistan is committed to whatever process is necessary for improving ties between the two countries.
Both sides agreed that whatever had happened in the past should not block the future. “We give priority to cooperation over conflict and in this way Germany restored its status in the world,” the German Foreign Minister said.
In terms of bilateral relations the two sides agreed to cooperate in energy especially renewable sources of energy, vocational training, trade and commerce.
Hina Khar said that Germany is the fifth largest investor in Pakistan. “We also discussed GSP plus, preferential market access and the world now realizes that Pakistan need special dispensation.
Westerwelle said that German government and people support solidarity with Pakistan and “when I say solidarity it means more than assistance”.
Both sides were on the same page that peace and stability in Afghanistan was in interest of the region and the world. (Agencies)
