Islamabad: The Institute for Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) held the second round of talks in Islamabad with the ASEAN Committee (ACI) comprising the Heads of Mission of ASEAN Member States in Islamabad. The ASEAN delegation was led by the current ACI Chairperson, Ambassador Maria Agnes M. Cervantes, Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan.
In his speech, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasized the importance of Pakistan’s “East Asian Vision” for ASEAN. Asserting that ASEAN is a successful model of global economic power and regional cooperation, he highlighted Pakistan’s bilateral and institutional relations with ASEAN member states. Among other things, he noted that bilateral trade between Pakistan and ASEAN reached $11.8 billion, pointing to the region’s potential for further growth with its $3 trillion economy. He traced the history of ASEAN’s sectoral dialogue with Pakistan and highlighted efforts to achieve full dialogue partnership status.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted ISSI’s initiatives to promote Pakistan-ASEAN relations, including the establishment of the first ‘Asean Corner’ at the ISSI Library last year. For the future, the Institute plans to organize events that help raise awareness of ASEAN and its global importance, strengthen trade relations and economic cooperation, and develop academic and research ties as part of people-to-people contacts.
Earlier, the Director of China Pakistan ISSI Study Center Dr. Talat Shabbir said that Pakistan and ASEAN have a long and strong relationship. Pakistan’s strategic location as a bridge between South Asia and the Middle East focuses on ASEAN trade and connectivity. In addition, cooperation between Pakistan and ASEAN extends to various fields such as agriculture, education, counter-terrorism and development.
Ambassador Maria Cervantes emphasized the importance of cooperation between Pakistan and ASEAN. He said that Pakistan attaches importance to full dialogue partnership with ASEAN and assured Pakistan’s efforts as well as ISSI’s support.
In a wide-ranging discussion on the issues on the agenda, it was agreed that deepening Pakistan-ASEAN cooperation in various fields – political and security, economic and socio-cultural – was the most desirable path. It is also agreed to focus on special publications, develop exchanges between relevant business groups and strengthen relations between think tanks on both sides.
Other members of the ASEAN delegation include Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Tien Phong; Mr. Aung Kyaw Thuya, representative of Myanmar; Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma, representative of RI; Mr. Mohd Syafiq Hassbullah, representative of Malaysia; Mr. Hairurrijal Hazim, representative of Brunei Darussalam; and Mrs. Gob Kamola, representative of Thailand.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmoud, Chairman of the ISSI Board of Directors spoke at the dialogue.
