Pakistan, India to ink missile pre-notification agreement next month
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Sept 2, IRNA
Pakistan-India
Pakistan and India will sign an agreement on pre-notification of ballistic missile test when the foreign ministers meet in Islamabad next month, Foreign Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan said.
It was decided in the meeting foreign secretaries of Pakistan and India, began their meeting in Islamabad on Thursday to review the progress of the second round of the composite dialogue process, he told reporters on Thursday.
These talks between Riaz Muhammad Khan and his Indian counterpart Shyam Saran are preparatory to the dialogue between the two countries at the Foreign Ministers level scheduled to take place from 3rd to 5th of October this year.
The talks would conclude on Friday when a joint statement will be issued.
The two sides agreed to continue the composite dialogue process and the third round is expected to begin by the end of the year, Riaz Muhammad Khan told a news conference.
He said the review of dialogue process normally takes place on the eve of foreign ministers meeting but this time it has been advanced in view of the important meeting between President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New York this month.
With this in view, the two foreign secretaries also discussed matters relating to the New York meeting.
Replying to a question, Mr. Riaz Muhammad Khan said Kashmir would be on top of the agenda of the meeting between President Musharraf and the Indian prime minister.
He described the meeting as positive and said they reviewed the entire gamut of the second round of composite dialogue which had spread over one year.
Their discussions covered all issues including Kashmir, peace and security, Sir Creek, Siachin, Wullar Barrage and economic and cultural matters.
He said a decision has already been taken to revive the Joint Economic Commission but no dates have yet been finalized for its meeting.
Replying to another question, he said Pakistan is part of international coalition to fight terror but added that there should be clear distinction between genuine struggles for self-determination and the terrorism.
Responding to yet another question, the foreign secretary said Pakistan has always been insisting that Kashmiri leadership should be associated with the peace process.
He said the invitation of meeting to them by the Indian Prime Minister is a positive development.
2020/235/2329/1414
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