FM leaves for Cambodia to attend Ministerial Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will represent Pakistan at the 29th three-day AEAN Regional Forum, being held in Cambodia from Thursday, to participate in deliberations on political and security issues of concern to Asia-Pacific.

The meeting will be attended by the Foreign Ministers and Representatives of the 27 ARF member countries and the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The Foreign Minister will highlight Pakistan's perspective and policy priorities in finding common solutions through dialogue and cooperation. Besides, he will have other important engagements, including meetings with Cambodian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and his counterparts from Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the European Union and other high officials, on the sidelines of the event.

The forum provides an opportunity to Pakistan to present its vision about the region as it does not want to become part of any political bloc because Islamabad believes in cooperation.

On the conclusion, the forum will likely to adopt several documents, including the statement to promote peace and stability and prosperity through confidence building measures and preventive diplomacy. The Forum will also adopt the statement regarding preservation of South East Asia as a nuclear-weapon free zone.

It is pertinent to mention that ASEAN Regional Forum is an important platform for consultations among countries of the Asia Pacific on issues related to regional peace and security.

Since joining the ARF in 2004, Pakistan has been an active member of the Forum and regularly participates in its activities.

Earlier, in his pre-departure statement, the Foreign Minister said he looks forward to attending the meeting and holding bilateral interactions with the representatives of ASEAN countries.

The meeting will be attended by the foreign ministers and representatives of the 27 ARF member countries.

At the ARF Ministerial meeting, Bilawal Bhutto will participate in deliberations on political and security issues of concern to Asia-Pacific aimed at promoting common solutions through dialogue and cooperation.

He will also meet with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Cambodia and have bilateral meetings with a number of his counterparts on the sidelines.

Source: Radio Pakistan