Bilawal calls for people-centric democracy

FM holds talks with Indonesian, Bosnian counterparts during visit to Bali

BALI, INDONESIA:

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that democracy was the foundation of an emancipated society and underscored the importance of democracies in the developing countries to collaborate in responding to common challenges.

Addressing the 15th Bali Democracy Forum held in the Indonesian holiday resort of Bali, the foreign minister called for reform of international financial institutions.

He said that the people of Pakistan always strove for a people-centric democracy.
In his address, Bilawal also stressed the need for democracies around the world to re-invent themselves in order to become more responsive to the needs of their peoples and to cooperate with each other to find people-centric solutions.

During his visit, the foreign minister also addressed the International Conference on Afghan Women Education. He underlined the need for concrete and practical assistance programmes benefiting all sections of the society. He also reiterated Pakistan’s strong support for the well-being and prosperity of the people of Afghanistan.

The foreign minister was on a visit to Indonesia to participate in the Bali Democracy Conference before travelling to Singapore. On the sidelines of the Bali conference, Bilawal also called on his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi, and the Foreign Minister of Bosnia Herzegovina, Dr Bisera Turkovic.

In the meeting with Marsudi, Pakistan and Indonesia decided to establish a joint ministerial commission (JMC) to enhance their bilateral engagements and cooperation in diverse fields. Later the two foreign ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the JMC.
Bilawal also met the Dr Turkovic and discussed mutual collaboration through high-level exchanges, trade and mechanisms of bilateral cooperation.

They agreed on amplifying bilateral cooperation in areas that will translate into tangible outcomes.