BEIJING: 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.