Envoys advocate talks on Indo-Pak conflicts

Islamabad : Emphasising the importance of multilateralism to address the issues of globalisation, migration and racism, German ambassador Dr Bernhard Schlagheck and French ambassador Dr Marc Baréty urged Pakistan and India to resolve bilateral territorial disputes by dialogue for regional peace.

The envoys were speaking about ‘German-French friendship as the ground for effective multilateralism’ during a session organised by the National University of Science and Technology’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities on H-11 campus here with the cooperation of the German and French embassies.

The event was held to mark the Jan 22, 1963, signing of a Franco-German friendship pact, Treaty of Éylsée, and the first anniversary of the Treaty of Aachen. It was attended by students and teachers of the university.

In a joint lecture, the ambassadors said Jan 22 had immense importance in the Franco-German history as on that day in 1963, French President General de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed the Elysée Treaty on cooperation between the two countries and thus, beginning an era of bilateral friendship and cooperation after over a century of hostilities and wars.

They talked about how multilateralism is the need of the hour and how it can help the world handle issues of globalization, migration and racism. According to them, the international community has been raising its voice against human rights violations in the Indian-occupied Kashmir but both countries (India and Pakistan) should resolve the conflict by dialogue and political will for regional peace.

Dr Marc Baréty voiced concern about the current tensions in the Indian-occupied Kashmir and said his country had formally conveyed its concerns to India about it.

The ambassador appreciated the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor by Prime Minister Imran Khan as a big confidence-building measure on part of Pakistan and said such initiatives could pave the way for a meaningful Indo-Pak dialogue for conflict resolution.

The French ambassador blamed Islamophobia in Europe on misconceptions and lack of public awareness and advocated interfaith dialogue at international level and comparative study of religions to address misconceptions about religions and promote tolerance.