Siem Riep declaration: Asian Parliamentary Assembly includes Kashmir issue

The 9th Plenary Session of Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) included Kashmir issue in Siem Riep Declaration adopted on the concluding day of the 9th Plenary Session held in Siem Riep, Cambodia on Thursday. Pakistani delegation led by Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani actively participated in the debate on the adoption of Siem Riep Declaration and after extensive arguments and counter arguments APA included Kashmir as an independent point in the Declaration. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Muhammad Saif Ali Khan and Secretary Senate Amjed Pervez Malik were part of the Drafting Committee.
"The member Countries do hereby express our commitment to promoting lasting peace, security and stability in Asia, with all lingering disputes including Kashmir resolved as per the UN Charter, International law, and UN Security Council Resolutions" said the declaration signed by Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Korea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Laos, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, which attended the 9th Plenary Session on the invitation of President of the national assembly of Cambodia and current APA President.
The members countries expressed their concern on the increasing tension in parts of Asia, particularly the threat of terrorism and the suffering of people effected by ongoing conflicts especially displaced people and the dire situation of millions of women and young people in all war-torn areas. They stressed the importance of maintaining world peace, security, stability and development. Through this declaration, the APA participants agreed, in principle that the vision of an Asian Parliament shall meet the goal and aspiration of Asia in 21st Century. Standing Committee on Political Affairs chaired by Pakistan has been entrusted with the task of taking the vision forward by consensus through consultation.
The Siem Riep Declaration urged APA and all other stake holders to support the reconciliation process with Taliban and other militants/armed groups in Afghanistan. They reiterated that ending poverty and hunger was among the greatest global challenges and indispensable requirement for sustainable development. They underlined the importance of developed countries fulfilling their commitments regarding provision of finance, transfer of appropriate technology and capacity building to developing countries to ensure the global realization of sustainable development goals.-PR