Islamabad, 20 March 2022 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met the Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Sameh Hassan Shoukry, today.
Foreign Minister Shoukry is visiting Pakistan for bilateral engagements and participation in the 48th session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers. The 48th session of the CFM will take place in Islamabad on 22-23 March 2022.
MEETING BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND EGYPT’S FOREIGN MINISTER
The two Foreign Ministers held in-depth consultations; exchanging views and perspectives on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and international issues. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations and close cooperation at various regional and multilateral fora.
Underscoring Pakistan’s shared bonds of common faith, cultural affinity, and historically warm ties with Egypt; the Foreign Minister reaffirmed the desire to further deepen the multi-dimensional relationship between the two countries.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed to enhance high-level exchanges and to strengthen institutional engagement for adding further momentum to close collaboration on all issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Minister also stressed the need to foster closer inter-Parliamentary cooperation as part of enhanced people-to-people exchanges between the two brotherly countries.
Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the potential for increased cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, defense, tourism, agriculture, and higher education. Both Foreign Ministers concurred on the need to explore opportunities for such bilateral cooperation.
JAMMU AND KASHMIR
The Foreign Minister apprised his counterpart of the ongoing human rights violations and illegal demographic changes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He also briefed Foreign Minister Shoukry on the recent so-called “accidental” firing of a missile by India into Pakistan’s territory.
He stressed that in addition to highlighting disturbing questions about the multiple shortcomings and technical lapses of serious nature in India’s management of strategic weapons; the lack of communication and explanation from India’s side was a source of serious concern.
Noting that the incident was consistent with India’s irresponsible conduct and needed to be addressed by the international community; the Foreign Minister underscored Pakistan’s demand for a joint probe into the incident.
AFGHANISTAN
The two Foreign Ministers had a detailed exchange on developments relating to Afghanistan. Foreign Minister Qureshi emphasized the need for urgent measures to avert humanitarian and economic crises in Afghanistan.
He drew attention to the improvement in the security situation. He then stressed the importance of constructive engagement by the international community to help promote objectives in Afghanistan. According to Qureshi, those objectives were regarding the durable peace and stability of Afghanistan. Both also discussed the prosperity of the Afghan people.
UKRAINE
The two Foreign Ministers shared perspectives on the situation in Ukraine. Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted Pakistan’s principled position and consistent calls for a peaceful settlement through dialogue and diplomacy.
He stressed the inviolability of the principles of the UN Charter. Both also exchanged views on the economic impact on the world at large and the unintended consequences for the developing countries arising from the ongoing conflict; particularly in the shape of rising oil and food commodity prices.
Within the 27th Conference of Parties (CoP) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; which will be in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. Later this year, both discussed priority actions for tackling Climate Change; particularly the need for channeling enhanced climate finance for developing countries.
Foreign Minister Qureshi assured Pakistan’s support to the Egyptian Presidency of CoP-27 for a successful Conference. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to remain engaged to further strengthen the cordial relationship between Pakistan and Egypt.
