UNSC reforms must be transparent: Kasuri

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Wednesday invited Italian businessmen to invest in Pakistan, saying Pakistan offered excellent opportunities to foreign investors.

Kasuri, who met Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, told PTV that he discussed Pakistan’s role in the war on terror and the Afghanistan situation with Frattini.

Kasuri also met Italian Deputy Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini and Gustavo Selva, president of the Foreign Relations Committee of the lower house of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and discussed matters of mutual interest with them. Fini said the Pakistani community in Italy was peace-loving and playing an important role in the country’s development.

Addressing the Italian Institute of International Conciliation on Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, Kasuri highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting international peace and security.

Kasuri briefed the institute about the recent thaw in India-Pakistan relations. He said the ongoing dialogue between the two countries aimed to address all outstanding issues including Kashmir. He said durable peace and development in the region was only possible if both countries resolved their disputes amicably.

He said peace in Afghanistan was in Pakistan’s interests. He reiterated Pakistan’s support for the Bonn process and efforts to bring peace and harmony to Afghanistan. The foreign minister said the international community must help Afghanistan in its reconstruction.

Kasuri said Pakistan and Italy had common views on proposed reforms in the United Nation’s Security Council. He said the reforms must be democratic and transparent. The foreign minister said Pakistan’ relations with China were important for peace and stability in South Asia. He said the Gwadar port would offer tremendous trade opportunities for the land-locked central Asian states. agencies

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