Thursday, January 19 2006 11:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New York: Pakistan has said 'meaningful progress' towards a final settlement of Kashmir issue is 'essential for the sustainability and eventual success' of the composite dialogue process between New Delhi and Islamabad.

"We are convinced that a solution can be found with determination, vision, flexibility and courage. Accordingly, we have made several proposals to India and we await their positive response," visiting Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said while addressing a joint meeting of the Council on Foreign Relations and Asia Society here yesterday (Jan 18,2006).

Stressing that the confidence-building measures between the two countries have considerably improved the atmosphere, Aziz said the progress on the substantive issues, especially Kashmir, is yet to be made.

He said progress on Kashmir must be in tandem with progress on all other issues, adding 'meaningful progress towards settlement of Jammu and Kashmir is essential for eventual success of the process.'

The process, Aziz said, can be 'facilitated' by the United States encouraging the parties to resolve the issue of Kashmir in a 'just and durable' manner.

If the countries in South Asian region can turn away from tensions and conflicts and resolve the 'long-standing dispute' of Kashmir, South Asia can be locus of next 'Asian miracle.' South Asia, Aziz stressed, has tremendous untapped human and economic potential and the promotion of trade and economic cooperation between India, Pakistan and rest of South Asia would contribute to and benefit from the early progress towards peace and security.

"There is an inextricable link between greater economic integration and a climate of peace and stability. If we are able to change the political environment for the better, forward movement on economic and other issues will be inevitable," he said.

Pakistan, Aziz said, will continue to be engaged in composite dialogue process with a view to making it 'substantive, meaningful and result oriented.'

"We have been proactive in reinvigoration of regional cooperation in South Asia. Together with other partners in SAARC, we can utilize the immense resources of our region to make it a veritable center of economic growth," he added.