Gilani-Singh meeting likely in Maldives: FO

Two relevant offices of India and Pakistan are working on the possibility of premier-level bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit, said Foreign Office Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua while answering a question at the weekly briefing.To another question of Dr Singh’s visit to Pakistan that he had intended in accepting invitation delivered by Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, she said dates were yet to be finalised.Earlier during her opening remarks, the spokespersons stated that Prime Minister would participate in the 17th SAARC Summit on 10-11 November in the Maldives. The theme of the summit is ‘Building Bridges’ – an enhanced focus on increasing transportation and communication links, promoting regional trade and investment; and freer movement of people to facilitate cultural exchanges.According to the spokesperson, President Asif Ali Zardari will visit Turkey on the invitation of President Abdullah Gul for bilateral discussions on 31 October. She told the media that while in Turkey, the President would attended on November 1, a Trilateral Summit between Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey. President Abdullah Gul, President Hamid Karzai and President Asif Ali Zardari will participate in the summit hosted by Turkey.On 2 November, Turkey is hosting the Istanbul Regional Conference on Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will lead the Pakistan Delegation to the conference.“We envisage this Conference as a platform to express region’s solidarity and support for Afghanistan in its endeavours to establish peace and stability; an inclusive process of national reconciliation; consolidate its sovereignty and territorial integrity; and achieve socio-economic prosperity by undertaking mutually beneficial economic cooperation with neighbouring states, the region and the world,” she stated.“We believe the Istanbul Conference should manifest in tangible terms its support for Afghanistan on the basis of established principles of inter-state conduct enshrined in the UN Charter and the International Law as well as material, financial and technical support for socio economic development,” she added.It is important that unity of purpose and the region’s support for Afghanistan must be ensured through “consensus decision making”. However, answering a question regarding the declaration of the conference, she said, “preparatory process was underway including a meeting in Kabul. But the consensus based on principles is yet to be achieved,” she added.The existing regional organizations and arrangements may also be urged to prioritize support in their respective domains for achieving the afore-stated objectives of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan in a stable, peaceful and prosperous region, she maintained.According to the spokesperson, the Prime Minster will visit Moscow to participate in the SCO Heads of Government meeting on 7 November, 2011 on the invitation of Prime Minister Putin. Pakistan is desirous of becoming a full member of this forum on account of its immense potential for dealing with common challenges, she added. Prime Minster’s visit will also afford an opportunity for exchange of views with Prime Minister Putin.The President and the Prime Minister have sent messages to the Turkish leadership expressing sympathy and solidarity with the Turkish people on loss of lives and damage to property caused by the earthquake in the Turkish eastern province of Van.Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra of Thailand expressing support and solidarity with the Government and people of Thailand facing unprecedented floods. Also, our Embassy in Bangkok is in contact with Pakistani community organizations and has organized safe evacuation of students of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and their families in close cooperation with AIT and the Higher Education Commission.According to the spokesperson, “We would also like to express complete solidarity with the Kashmiri people as they mark today, 27 October, as the Black Day.To a question she turned down the impression that Pakistan has put Kashmir behind positive trade talks with India. She reiterated that Kashmir is part and parcel of the talks going on with India at every level.