Brussels, 8 December 2021 (TDI): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has arrived in Brussels. He is on a three-day visit to Belgium. Also, the Minister will co-chair the 6th round of the Pakistan-European Union (EU) Strategic Dialogue.
The Foreign Minister is visiting Belgium at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium Sophie Wilmes. Pakistan’s Ambassador Zaheer Aslam and other officials welcomed the Minister at the Brussels International Airport.
Pakistan-Belgium Bilateral Talks
Foreign Minister Qureshi has kick-started his interactions. He has initially met Deputy Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes. Firstly, Qureshi iterated in his meeting that Pakistan values Belgium as a close friend and an important trading partner in the EU. Moreover, he shared his aspirations to broaden cooperation in multiple avenues. Engaging in political, economic, trade, education, science, and multilateral spheres. Enhancing people-to-people exchanges etc.
Pakistan has provided us with valuable assistance on the Afghanistan evacuation issue. My counterpart @SMQureshiPTI and I took stock of the situation. Security, bilateral relations and human rights were also discussed. 🇧🇪🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/4bQi7p1WxN
— Sophie Wilmès (@Sophie_Wilmes) December 7, 2021
The Afghan Crisis
He expressed his pleasure in the meeting. He put forth the importance of a stable and peaceful Afghanistan for Pakistan. Also for the greater benefit and stability of the region and on and beyond. Pakistan has been strongly advocating the case of a humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan. He pressed in his meeting with his Belgian counterpart the importance of international attention towards the Afghan issue. Adding on he stressed the importance of facilitating peace and stability in Afghanistan. Secondly, on the need for economic help for the revival of the Afghan economy.
India
The Belgian Minister also received a brief about the situation of strategic affairs in South Asia. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister informed her about the growing conventional asymmetry, induction of destabilizing weapons systems, provocative doctrines, and aggressive posturing by India. Additionally, India’s posturing negatively impacts nuclear stability in the region.
The FM has a busy schedule planned. Including meetings with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Belgium Parliamentarians, and Members of the European. Also with Parliament members of the Pakistani diaspora residing in Luxembourg and Belgium.