Afghan peace: FM to present Pakistan's stance at Munich Security Conference

FM will meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, US senators and counterparts from Russia, Germany and Canada

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi left for Germany on Thursday to represent Pakistan at the Munich Security Conference 2019, Radio Pakistan reported.

Speaking to reporters prior to his departure, the foreign minister said he will also hold meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his counterparts from countries including Russia, Germany, Uzbekistan and Canada.



"Pakistan has always supported efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve our common objective," said Qureshi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Short Talk before leaving for the Munich Security Conference 2019 in Munich Germany (14.02.19)@SMQureshiPTI #Pakistan 🇵🇰 #Germany 🇩🇪 #MSC2019 pic.twitter.com/f6QABWs72g

— PTI (@PTIofficial) February 14, 2019

"Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process is being globally appreciated. We will use this opportunity to present our stance and hear the views of all parties."



Qureshi is also expected to meet key US congressmen and members of the US Senate.

"Pak-US relations have entered an important stage. From day one, our government has worked to improve our ties with Washington. We firmly believe that significant progress has been achieved on that front," he said.

The foreign minister is also expected to meet Federica Mogherini, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to finalise a strategic enhancement plan with the EU.

This year's Munich Security Conference will be attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other heads of state and government including Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Egyptian President Abd al-Fattah as-Sisi, and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The United States will be represented by Vice President Mike Pence and Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan. A US Congressional Delegation would be led by Senators Lindsey O. Graham, Sheldon Whitehouse, Roger F. Wicker, James Inhofe, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

Other confirmed participants NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, and Kristalina Georgieva, the acting president of the World Bank.

With additional input from Radio Pakistan.