KAZAKHSTAN, 25 September 2020, (TON): Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), an intergovernmental forum of 27 countries was hosted in virtual format today by Kazakhstan,

CICA is a forum for enhancing support and collaboration between Asian countries and the rest of world. CICA approaches towards peace, security and stability of nations. CICA special Ministerial meeting was held via video conferencing on Thursday 24 September 2020. During the meeting, Tajikistan hands over CICA chairmanship to Kazakhstan, followed by the Kazakh delegation's presentation on its vision for 2020-2022. International and regional issues analyzed during the session which were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on economic sectors and global health around the world in addition to severe tensions between the rivals.

China called on members of the CICA to make concentrated efforts in strengthening the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.  While addressing the meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.  emphasized to work together to overcome this pandemic and asked to show full support towards World Health Organization (WHO) to fight against COVID-19. He added that member countries should strengthen dialogue and communication to build strategic mutual trust in the region and across the world for peace, security and stability. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif while addressing the conference said that only by working together we can overcome challenges and threats to the security and health of nations. He stressed that humble approach and support for each other is needed to fight this epidemic and find a solution. He added that as a member of CICA we should do our utmost to strengthen cooperation within the framework of our organization and in coordination with WHO and UN to ensure free and full access to health services. 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participated in the meeting and emphasized on mutual efforts and practical cooperation against the fight with Corona Virus. Turkish top diplomats and Deputy Prime Minister PRAK Sokhonn from Kingdom of Cambodia also participated in CICA conference.

Acting foreign Minister Muhammad Hanif Atmar from Afghanistan attended the meeting and expressed his gratitude to Tajikistan for chairing CICA from 2018 to 2020 and welcomed the new chairmanship of Kazakhstan. He also discussed recent developments in the region and appreciated the start of Afghan Peace Negotiations (APN). He also discussed COVID-19 impacts on national economies and emphasized on the need of comprehensive cooperation to deal with this pandemic.

During the meeting all the participant countries expressed their support for Afghan Peace Negotiations and stressed the need to strengthen cooperation among countries to overcome challenges faced by the world.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s role for the promotion of peace and security and sustainable development in the region especially Pakistan’s important contribution for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. He also underscored Pakistan’s role in strengthening connectivity in Asia through various initiatives, especially the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

CICA, being a conflict prevention and confidence building forum, Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi highlighted the Jammu and Kashmir issue and challenged the Indian 5 August action to declare Jammu and Kashmir as its integral part. Statement posted at Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website, Pakistan Foreign Minister underlined the importance of resolving the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir for long-term peace and security in South Asia, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people. The Foreign Minister highlighted continued atrocities by Indian occupation forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), especially since its unilateral and illegal actions of August last year.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who represented India at the meeting said, Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on internal affairs of India, asserting that the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been and will remain an integral part of the country. The statement said, “Pakistan’s remarks today constitute gross interference in India’s internal affairs, sovereignty and territorial integrity which is inconsistent with the CICA Declaration on the Principles Guiding Relations between the CICA Member States of September 1999.” The statement said, Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on internal affairs of India, asserting that the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been and will remain an integral part of the country.