Terming his talks with ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong, who is currently visiting Islamabad, as an 'important milestone', Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Riaz Muhammad Khan said the dialogue focussed on trade, investment, industry, environment, tourism, science and technology, drug control and human resources.
Steps to further enhance cooperation in trade and economic ties was also discussed. The two sides agreed to increase cooperation in energy, combating communicable diseases like avian influenza and in other areas.
Addressing a joint press conference in Islamabad on Monday, Khan said Pakistan proposed a joint task force and a joint working group for cooperation in the agriculture sector, cooperation in satellite remote sensing for the agriculture sector, water and disaster management.
He said Pakistan would place $1 million in the Pakistan-ASEAN fund to carry out the feasibility study for the FTA and other projects.
"The deepening of our relations
is part of our Vision East Asia policy and we desire to take these ties forward to achieve a full dialogue part nership with ASEAN," Khan said.
Secretary General ASEAN Ong Keng Yong, while replying to a question, dispelled the impression that Pakistan's entry to the forum was being obstructed. "No one is intervening ... we hope to get Pakistan as a full dialogue partner," he said. A number of countries were in the waiting list, he added and hoped that internal arrangements and process would settle the matter soon.
Pakistan-ASEAN trade will get a definite boost once it enters the FTA, he said. During interaction between Pakistani and ASEAN leaders, there was a determination by both the sides to enhance cooperation and a desire was expressed that Pakistan joins the grouping with the status of a full dialogue partner.
Pakistan has signed a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with ASEAN, besides a Joint Declaration on Combatting Terrorism. It joined the ASEAN Regional Forum and is a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the group since 1997.
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