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Pakistan, S Arabia to work together to resolve conflicts in Muslim world

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work together and hold regular bilateral consultations to resolve outstanding conflicts in South Asia and the Middle East.

In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of a visit by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, the two sides emphasised the need to resolve outstanding disputes between Pakistan and India, including Kashmir, through negotiation, because of the inter-linkage between the security and stability of the Arab region and South Asia.

The two sides also urged the international community to accept the election results in Palestine, which led to the victory of Islamic militant group Hamas.

“Both sides urged the acceptance of the results of these elections, as they reflect the free will of the Palestinan people and called for a wise and objective dealing with these results and avoid premature judgments and hasty conclusions,” reads the joint statement. The two sides expressed their hope that Hamas would form a government which preserves the legitimate rights of the Palestinians, safeguards their interests and works for peace.

With regard to the situation in Iraq, the two sides hoped that the ongoing political process would result in the establishment of a government capable of assuring Iraq’s unity, territorial integrity and prosperity without foreign intervention.

The two countries agreed to make continuous efforts for early realisation of proposals to conclude a comprehensive convention on international terrorism. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia also pledged to work together to set up an international counter terrorism centre, as was discussed at an international conference on counter terrorism held in Riyadh in February 2005. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will hold regular meetings of a Bilateral Joint Commission to implement what was agreed upon during the visit.

The two sides agreed to exchange frequent visits at all levels to enhance mutual understanding and friendship and deepen development of steady cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, education and investment, said the joint statement.

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