ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The fifth ministerial Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process concluded here on Wednesday reaffirming the commitment by all member states to the principles and objectives to promote regional peace and prosperity with collective efforts.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the principles, objectives, and outcomes of these Conferences that have defined the parameters for the working of Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process aimed at promoting regional peace and prosperity,” reiterated the participants in the joint declaration issued at the completion of the fifth Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process: Enhanced Cooperation for Countering Security Threats and Promoting Connectivity, held here at Foreign Office.
Foreign ministers and high-level representatives of the participating and supporting countries, as well as high-level representatives of supporting regional and international organizations from over 30 countries participated in this important conference which was co-chaired by Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the opening ceremony of the fifth Ministerial Conference.
The process for this Heart of Asia-Istanbul process was started in 2011 from Istanbul and in 2012 this conference was held in Kabul, in 2013 it was held in Almaty and in 2014 it was held in Beijing.
The participants of the conference believed that the pace of continuity demonstrated by the Heart of the Asia-Istanbul Process, in the past few years would continue in future, and the endeavors made under its auspices would manifest themselves in the achievement of goals of lasting peace, security, prosperity and growth of the region.
Through joint declaration, they reaffirmed the respect for each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter to which they strongly adhere and reiterate the obligations of states to refrain in their international relations from the threat, or use of force, against the territorial integrity, or political independence of any State, or in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations Charter.
Recognizing the centrality of the United Nations in international affairs, they reiterated their support to the United Nations in coordinating international civilian efforts to contribute to peace, security and development of Afghanistan, as established by UN Resolution.
They also adhered to the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other states and commit to promote a multifaceted approach of regional integration based on trust, equality and dialogue.
Source: APP
