Islamabad, 31 January 2022 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke with the Foreign Minister of Togo, Professor Robert Dussey. The two counterparts discussed issues related to mutual interest.
During the phone call, the Foreign Ministers determined joint interests as well as mutual respect as the primary force in the Pakistan and Togo relationship. Togo is a West African country and is situated in the Gulf of Guinea. It is famous for its palm-lined beaches and hilltop villages.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi, on his part, emphasized that Pakistan affixes great importance to further boosting amicable ties with Togo. He praised the positive and substantial contribution of Togo to multilateral platforms like the AU, OIC, UN, and ECOWAS.
Aside from that, the duo also communicated contentment over the current status of bilateral collaboration between the two allies. Furthermore, they also discussed means to augment cooperation in the diplomatic, political, defense, and trade sectors.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister also underscored the ‘Engage Africa’ policy of the Government of Pakistan. In that regard, he apprised Foreign Minister Dussey about the measures adopted by Pakistan to increase its outreach to the African Continent.
Whilst, Foreign Minister Dussey on his part commended the prospects provided to the young diplomats from Togo for training at the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan in Islamabad.
Lastly, the two sides acquiesced during the telephonic conversation, to maintain contact along with exploring mechanisms for frequent engagement between Pakistan and Togo.
The telephonic contact between the two Foreign Ministers is important as Pakistan will be hosting the OIC’s CFM 48th session in March. Previously, last year Pakistan hosted a similar session to enlist help for Afghanistan.
‘Engage Africa’ policy of the Government of Pakistan
Pakistan is seeking to negotiate preferential trade agreements with the African trading blocs under the Engage Africa policy. As, in spite of the friendly nature of Pakistan’s relations with African nations, mutual trade has remained quite inadequate.
Pakistan, in November 2019, under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi, launched the “Engage Africa” policy. The policy is aimed at establishing deep-rooted ties with the African continent.
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