Talks between Russia & Ukraine would succeed in finding a diplomatic solution: Qureshi
Appreciates Iran’s steadfast support for the Kashmir cause, especially at the Supreme Leader level
Qureshi reaffirms Govt’s resolve to further deepen the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership
BEIJING ( Web News )
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday in China.
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.
Foreign Minister 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. The Foreign Minister also conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to reinforce efforts for a diplomatic solution including through the OIC platform.
Foreign Minister Qureshi is visiting China to participate in the Third Ministerial Meeting of Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan from 29-31 March 2022.
Meanwhile on the sidelines of the Ministerial meeting of the Neighbouring Countries of Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers had a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and the regional situation.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, 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.
Foreign Minister 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, Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted that as neighbours, Pakistan and Iran had been closely coordinating. Pakistan would continue to play its role for political and economic stability of Afghanistan, which would ultimately benefit the entire region.
Foreign Minister 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.
China has expressed readiness to roll-over commercial loans of Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a bilateral meeting in Tunxi District, Huangshan, China on Tuesday. The Foreign minister is visiting China to attend the Third Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Afghanistan’s Neighbouring Countries. He is accompanied by the Foreign Secretary and Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan.
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.
Foreign Minister Qureshi stressed that the relations with China were 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 Councilor Wang Yi’s visit to Islamabad to attend the OIC – Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting as a Special Guest, Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed satisfaction at the steady upward trajectory of Pakistan-China relations. He highlighted that the leaders’ consensus was translating into high-quality development of CPEC Phase-II, and burgeoning cooperation in diverse areas of cooperation like industrial development, agricultural modernization and information technology.
The Foreign Minister thanked China for hosting the meetings on Afghanistan. He emphasized 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 extension of CPEC to Afghanistan.
The two sides also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine. Highlighting Pakistan’s position calling for immediate cessation of hostility, provision of humanitarian assistance and continued efforts for a solution through dialogue and diplomacy, the Foreign Minister conveyed readiness to help facilitate a diplomatic solution including through OIC platform.
Later in a video message, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said an announcement about the roll-over of these loans will be made after completion of procedural requirements by the concerned authorities.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.