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Realizing the Future Collectively

France-China-Pakistan, to be 'key players in emerging multipolar world': Senator Mushahid


Source : http://www.nihao-salam.com   Date : 21-09-2015   By : Muhammad Arif  

France-China-Pakistan, to be 'key players in emerging multipolar world': Senator Mushahid
Islamabad (Sep 20, 2015): Dr Pascal Boniface, eminent French intellectual and Director of the premier French think-tank, Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, delivering his lecture on 'France, Europe & Changing Global Scenario', here at the Pakistan-China Institute. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Ambassadors of France and Belgium, and other participants are also present.

Islamabad,September 21 :  The countries like France and China, together with Pakistan, would be 'key players in the emerging multipolar world' and this partnership could pave way for global peace, stability as well as economic growth, Senator Mushahid Hussain ,Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) made these remarks during a guest lecture on 'France, Europe & Changing Global Scenario' held at the Pakistan-China Institute in Islamabad on Sunday .

Elaborating the strategic significance of Pakistan China Economic Corridor, Senator Mushahid  said CPEC is a mega economic development that would integrate the regional economies of South-Central Asia with oil rich Middle Eastern countries thus creating tremendous trade and business opportunities for the region.

Lauding the French role in world affairs, Senator Mushahid said France provided strategic support to Pakistan . He also praised the great French statesman, the late President General Charles de Gaulle.

 Dr Pascal Boniface, eminent French intellectual and Director of the premier French think-tank, Institute for International and Strategic Affairs, supported France's civil nuclear cooperation with Pakistan, on the pattern of the U.S.-Indian civil nuclear agreement, saying that 'Pakistan as a country of 200 million people with nuclear weapons has a pivotal role to play in the most strategic part of the world'.

The lecture, chaired by Ambassador Masood Khan, Chairman, Institute of Strategic Studies, was attended by the Ambassador of France, H.E. Mrs. Martine Dorance, and Belgium Ambassador, H.E. Verheyden, as well as heads of think-tanks, university professors and scholars of international relations, former Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar and former head of ISI, Lt Gen (R) Asad Durrani.

Dr Boniface also criticised the Iraq War since it was 'destabilising for the Arab World', and he welcomed the Iran Nuclear deal terming it as 'a rare defeat for the powerful pro-Israeli lobby in the United States'.

Lt Gen (r) Asad Durrani said that in today's world, 'there are two forces with a truly global outreach, the United States and Al Qaeda', with a capability to strike anywhere militarily anywhere in the world.

The participants acknowledged that France, the largest country in the EU, and with nuclear energy providing the bulk of its power needs, is leading the world in civil nuclear energy technology for peaceful purposes. Ms. Nathalie Dupont, Counsellor Political Affairs, Press and Communication, also shared her views with the participants regarding the need for strengthening bilateral relations, especially at the academic, and diplomatic level. The lecture was followed by an interesting and animated discussion among the distinguished audience.