Trilateral talks: China-Afghan-Pakistan FMs to meet today

ISLAMABAD: The third round of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan trilateral foreign ministers dialogue to discuss peace and progress among states will be held today under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

According to details, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is will reach Islamabad today along with his delegation to attend the talks.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan has again reshuffled its delegation. Now Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani will attend the meeting as the national security adviser.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will lead Pakistan’s delegation at the meeting, while Chinese delegation would be led by its Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

According to sources, China Pakistan Economic Corridor’s (CPEC) expansion to Afghanistan is part of the agenda to be discussed during the meeting.

The top diplomats from the three countries will also deliberate on the Afghan peace and reconciliation process and progress thus far made in regards to talks with the Taliban.

The foreign ministers of the three countries at a trilateral meeting last year had reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening their relations, deepening cooperation and advancing connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) and other regional economic initiatives.

Pakistan posses the highest importance to the dialogue as a part of political trust-building, development, and cooperation leading to greater understanding on issues of common concern.