The chairman, United Nations (UN) Commission for Social and Economic Affairs, Kim Haksuo has expressed the hope that Pakistan and India will soon address their contentious issues and play their due role in making the international trade agreements successful. In an interview with Voice of Germany (VoG), he said the Kashmir issue would be settled amicably as Pakistan wanted to resolve the issue soon so the region could embark on developmental agenda.

The UN official said Pakistan has taken appropriate steps for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) regime. He hoped the region of Asia would emerge as a big economic power in the present century.

"If Pakistan and India maintain the same tempo, then they would join the row of economic powers of the world soon," he added.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005