ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission of Pakistan Sartaj Aziz has said that over the years Asia has become a leading player in the emerging economies of the World, and now center of economic power is shifting from the West to East.
In his address at the Regional Seminar titled “Dynamics of Geopolitics, Regional Security and Economic Connectivity” held in Islamabad on Monday, Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan truly stands at a historic juncture.
Sartaj Aziz said that the Country’s strategic location, once being a liability is now a bridge between Europe and Asia.
The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission said that regional connectivity in Asia now lies at the center of the Chinese-led Belt and Road initiative (BRI) which aims to connect Asia with Europe and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a central part of this network – is an all-inclusive economic corridor for the region.
While speaking at the Seminar, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Alizada enunciated that the landscape of the World is changing dramatically and Countries are changing their state policies swiftly in the wake of unfolding global crescendos. He said that peace is the only option to move towards sustainable future.
The ambassador said that Pakistan has always backed peace and stability in the region and Azerbaijan is grateful to Pakistan for their positive role in this regard.
While giving Turkey’s perspective on the topic of the Seminar, Professor Erhan Dogan from Marmara University, Istanbul said that Turkey has some regional calculations and some international. He said that what China, United States and Russia envisage their role in other parts of the World definitely has significant impact over Turkey’s equation with the global World.
Concluding his speech, the Turkish Professor said that Pakistan and Turkey have common cultural heritage and people of Turkey have a great respect for Pakistan.
The Kazakh Ambassador Barlybay Sadykov said that Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) should remain on the top agenda in order to maintain global security and ensure peace. He said that international terrorism is a common threat and requires collective response.
Barlybay Sadykov further said that Afghan peace process must be Afghan led and Afghan owned, with that all share responsibility to assist Afghan peace process. He said that geopolitical and geo-economics of the region both offers opportunities and face threats. He said that geo-economics can press for the need of cooperation among nations.
The Uzbek Ambassador to Pakistan Furqat A. Sidiqov said that Gwadar is very important for Uzbekistan as the Central Asian Country needs access to warm waters. He said that stability in Afghanistan is pivotal for both CARs and Pakistan in this regard for strengthening economic connectivity of the region.
The Kyrgyz Ambassador to Pakistan hoped that the planned railway link from Kashghar in China to Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan under CPEC after completion will connect Pakistan to Kyrgyz Republic through rail network, leading to more economic opportunities.
The Tajik Ambassador Sherali Jononov was of the view that the response to the global and regional challenges requires broad dialogue and concerted efforts of the entire International Community.
