Discusses economic, security cooperation with Chinese FM: reaffirms Pakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Iran
HUANGSHAN
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to Russia to reinforce efforts for a diplomatic solution, including through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) platform, to resolve conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said this during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Third Ministerial Meeting of Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Qureshi shared Pakistan’s principled position on the situation in Ukraine including cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarian assistance, and efforts for a solution through dialogue and diplomacy. He expressed the hope that talks between Russia and Ukraine would succeed in finding a diplomatic solution.
In the context of the discussions held during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to Moscow and their own telephone conversation earlier this month, the two foreign ministers reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on the regional situation.
Meanwhile, Qureshi and Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met and discussed various issues of regional and international importance on Wednesday.
“The two foreign ministers exchanged views on bilateral strategic, economic and security cooperation, Covid-19 pandemic, peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, and regional and international issues of mutual interest,” according to a statement.
Qureshi stressed that relations with China are the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to further deepen the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership. He reiterated Pakistan’s firm adherence to the One-China Policy and continued support on issues of China’s core interests and thanked China for its consistent support to Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, political stability and socio-economic development.
Recalling the recent high-level exchanges between the two sides, including the prime minister’s visit to China in February 2022 for the opening ceremony of Beijing Winter Olympics and State Councillor Wang Yi’s visit to Islamabad to attend the OIC-Council of foreign ministers’ meeting as a special guest, Qureshi expressed satisfaction at the steady upward trajectory of Pakistan-China relations.
He highlighted that the leaders’ consensus is translating into high-quality development of CPEC Phase-II, and burgeoning cooperation in diverse areas of cooperation like industrial development, agricultural modernisation and information technology.
The foreign minister thanked China for hosting the meetings on Afghanistan. He emphasised deeper engagement between Pakistan and China, as well as Afghanistan’s other neighbours, to promote peace, stability and development in the country and facilitate regional connectivity through the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Qureshi while referring to the frequent high-level exchanges reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas.
He expressed the hope that the Joint Economic Commission session would be held at the earliest to boost trade and economic collaboration. The foreign minister expressed satisfaction on the facilitative movement of trucks under TIR, which would further strengthen economic linkages in the region.
The foreign minister also underscored the importance of earliest completion of border markets in the context of enhanced bilateral economic cooperation. Qureshi appreciated Iran’s steadfast support for the Kashmir cause, especially at the supreme leader level.
The foreign minister also briefed on the unprovoked violation of Pakistan’s airspace by an Indian supersonic missile, underlining that such actions were fraught with grave implications and represented a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
On the situation in Afghanistan, Qureshi highlighted that as neighbours, Pakistan and Iran have been closely coordinating. Pakistan would continue to play its role for political and economic stability of Afghanistan, which would ultimately benefit the entire region.
Dr Abdollahian reaffirmed Iran’s desire to further strengthen fraternal ties in diverse areas of bilateral cooperation. He also extended an invitation to the foreign minister to visit Iran to carry forward the process of expansion of bilateral relations.
