950824

Joint comminique issued

Pakistan, Ukraine for

peaceful solution to

Kashmir, Bosnia issues

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Ukraine have stressed the need of just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue and the problem in former Yugoslavia through bilateral talks and in the light of appropriate UN resolutions.

A joint communique issued at the end of the official visit of Ukraine Defence Minister Valery M. Shamarov here on Thursday said that the two sides confirmed their determination to participate in international efforts aimed at curbing the arms race and furthering disarmament for creation of an atmosphere of security, trust and mutual understanding across the globe.

"A productive exchange of views took place on the issue of strengthening peace and stability in Europe and Asia particularly in respect of the armed conflicts and disputes in both the regions especially with regard to the situation in former Yugoslavia and Jammu and Kashmir and the grave violations of human rights there," the communique said.

Both sides also confirmed their determination to further promote relations of friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and Pakistan on the basis of the principles of the sovereign equality, non-use of force or the threat of force, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of each other, compliance with international and bilateral obligations and mutually beneficial partnership.

Following is the text of joint communique:

"On 22-25 of August, 1995 the official delegation of Ukraine headed by the Defence Minister of Ukraine Valery M. Shamarov visited the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the invitation of the Defence Minister of Pakistan, Aftab Shaban Mirani.

In the course of the visit, M. Valery Shamarov was received by the President of Pakistan, Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari to whom a personal message from the President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, was handed over. There were also meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali and the Minister of Defence Aftab Shaban Mirani.

During the meetings which were held in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, the existing state of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Ukraine and its future prospects as well as international issues of mutual interest were discussed. The two sides informed one another about the internal situation in their repective countries.

Both sides confirmed their determination to further relations of friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and Pakistan on the basis of the principles of the sovereign equality, non-use of force or the threat of force, inviolability of borders and territorial integrity, peaceful resolution of disputes, non-interference in the internal affairs of each other, compliance with international and bilateral obligations and mutually beneficial partnership.

The two sides confirmed the importance of continuing the political dialogue and of further strengthening and widening mutually beneficial, bilateral cooperation in various fields, including economic cooperation and cooperation in the sphere of trade, science, technology, culture and education by creating an institutional framework for its development.

Having paid special attention to the importance of improving the legal framework of bilateral relation, both sides pointed to the progress made in this sphere and agreed to expedite the finalizing and conclusion of the draft bilateral agreements listed in memorandum of understanding of July 7, 1994, which are under consideration by relevant Ukrainian and Pakistani government bodies.

The Ukrainian side expressed gratitude to the Pakistani side for understanding and assistance in solving the Ukraine humanitrian problem of returning to the home land or clarifying of the fate of the prisoners of war and those missed in action during the armed conflict in Afghanistan of the former military servicemen originating from Ukraine.

The Pakistani side confirmed its readiness to further render active assistance to Ukraine in solving the above problem.

A productive exchange of views took place on the issue of strengthening peace and stability in Europe and Asia particularly in respect of the armed conflicts and disputes in both regions especially with regard to the situation in former Yugoslavia and Jammu and Kashmir and the grave violations of human rights there.

The necessity of a just and peaceful settlement of the above conflicts and disputes by way of effective bilateral talks and on the basis of the appropriate UN resolutions was stressed.

The two sides confirmed their determination to participate in international efforts aimed at curbing the arms race and furthering disarmament, creation in the world of the atmosphere of security trust and mutual understanding.

The two sides express satisfaction for the level of the Ukrainian - Pakistani relations as a whole and come to the conclusion as to the necessity of improvement of the mechanizm of the bilateral cooperation and with this purpose to continue the contacts and systematic bilateral consultation at all levels.-PPI