The first round of China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Practical Co-operation Dialogue was held in Beijing on 27 May 2017. The Dialogue was co-chaired by Director General Mansoor Ahmad Khan of Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General Xiao Qian from Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Director General Khalid Payenda of Afghan Ministry of Finance. The three sides exchanged in-depth views on trilateral co-operation in a friendly atmosphere and agreed to promote practical measures for co-operation.

The three sides noted that trilateral co-operation among Pakistan, Afghanistan and China is conducive to peace, stability and development of Afghanistan and the region. The three countries appreciated the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and its benefits for promoting regional connectivity. They agreed to advance practical co-operation in various areas so as to promote mutual benefit and regional economic integration under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The three sides agreed to organise workshops, seminars and different forums. China and Pakistan will explore trilateral co-operation in areas of infrastructure, energy, education, health, agriculture, human resource training and capacity building based on the needs of Afghanistan and according to China and Pakistan's respective assistance programmes for Afghanistan. The three sides highly appreciated the outcome of discussions and agreed to make the China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Practical Co-operation Dialogue a regular forum.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017