Pakistan proposes fencing, mining Afghan border areas
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, May 2, IRNA
Pakistan-Kasuri-Afghan Fencing
Pakistan has proposed to Afghanistan and coalition forces to fence and mine their side of the border to prevent cross-border movement, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri said on Tuesday.
Kasuri was addressing a joint news conference with his Dutch counterpart Bernard R. Bot in Islamabad on Tuesday after their bilateral talks.
Responding to a question about the steps to overcome the problem, he said Pakistan has already deployed eighty thousand troops on its border with Afghanistan, which are more than those of the US, ISAF, NATO and Afghan National Army.
Pakistan had also proposed fencing of the border but now it has gone a step further and asked authorities on the other side to mine and fence their area while Pakistan is prepared to do so on its side, Kasuri said.
Dutch foreign minister said that his country is deploying additional upto 1,600 troops in Afghanistan and his visit is aimed at seeking Pakistan's cooperation in improving security conditions for them in Afghanistan.
The aim of their troops in Afghanistan is to provide stability and security so that a better life for the Afghan people comes within reach.
He expressed his gratitude for Pakistan's readiness to open its airspace and airfields to Dutch aircraft active in Afghanistan, if the need arises.
He said the Netherlands appreciates Pakistan's efforts to combat terrorism.
They also signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral consultations on the occasion.
Kasuri told newsmen that the Dutch foreign minister has responded positively to Pakistan's proposals about establishment of Joint Economic Commission, cooperation in the fields of renewable energy, food processing and packaging and fisheries industry.
Pakistan also proposed agreements on avoidance of double taxation and promotion and protection of investments to help strengthen economic and commercial relations between the two countries.
He said they also reviewed the entire range of regional and international matters of mutual interest.
Kasuri said he briefed Bot on the ongoing composite dialogue with India aimed at addressing all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir.
They also reviewed the situation in Afghanistan and discussed Iran's nuclear issue.
They agreed that every effort should be made to resolve Iran's nuclear issue peacefully.
On Iran's nuclear issue, Pakistan made it clear that it should be resolved peacefully.
"We respect Iran's rights to peaceful uses of nuclear energy under adequate IAEA safeguards and also call on it to observe its obligations under the NPT," he said.
"We oppose the use of force and believe that continued engagement would be critical in the efforts to find diplomatic solution to the issue," he underlined.
The foreign minister said he also shared Pakistan's perspective with his Dutch colleague on the recent US-India agreement on civilian nuclear cooperation which will have serious implications for security environment in South Asia.
A package approach would have better served the objective of strategic stability and met the legitimate energy requirements of Pakistan and India.
"We oppose any discriminatory treatment. Pakistan merits the support of the international community including the Nuclear Supplier Group to acquire nuclear technology for peaceful purposes," he underlined.
The minister said Pakistan has direct stake in the peace, progress and stability of Afghanistan and has been extending full cooperation to achieve this objective.
2020/235/1430/2322/1412
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