CPEC complements SCO’s vision of regional, economic integration: FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the flagship project of the One Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) supplements the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s (SCO) vision of regional connectivity and economic integration.

While addressing the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers moot in Moscow, Qureshi appreciated SCO as a platform for enhancing closer relations with regional partners and realising the benefits of the emerging connection between the and Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

Speaking about the projects, the foreign minister said CPEC will bring economic prosperity for Pakistan and the region.

Qureshi said Pakistan’s experience in poverty alleviation has proposed the establishment of an SCO Joint Working and SCO Centre of Excellence on Poverty Alleviation. He thanked member states for their support.

The foreign minister also expressed Pakistan’s delight in becoming the newest member of the SCO Youth Council. He said the country is looking forward to actively participating in it.

September 10, 2020: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan and China are “all-weather strategic co-operative partners” and remain committed to promoting peace, stability and development in the region.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFa) on Thursday, he expressed these view during a meeting with Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Moscow.

It was underlined during the meeting that BRI and SCO complement each other through enhancing regional connectivity, promoting trade and deepening people-to-people exchanges.

The statement said that bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting.

The foreign minister expressed the resolve to implement the consensus reached during the second round of strategic dialogue between foreign ministers of Pakistan and China held in Hainan last month.

FM Qureshi reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to “One China policy” and stands firmly behind China on core issues of its national interest.

He also emphasised that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is important for peace and stability in the region and beyond.

He reaffirmed that Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process is critical in restoring regional peace and stability.

Qureshi also emphasized that India’s expansionist and unilateral actions, particularly since 5 August 2019, have been imperilling regional peace and security.

He underlined that BRI and CPEC would contribute positively to post-Covid economic recovery. Pakistan and China were taking relevant measures which will help timely completion of CPEC projects that will be a catalyst for growth and prosperity in the region.