Brussels: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has stressed the need to further strengthen Pakistan-Belgium and Pakistan-EU partnership.
The Foreign Minister met in Brussels with a delegation of members of the Belgian Parliament and members of the European Parliament (MEP, s). During the meeting, issues of mutual interest including bilateral relations with Belgium and the European Union, progress on important regional and international issues were discussed.
The Foreign Minister apprised the Members of Parliament of Pakistan's cordial and friendly relations with the European Union and all its member countries. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan and the European Union signed the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) in June 2019, which helped in further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
He said that there were mechanisms and a "dialogue framework" between Pakistan and the European Union through which all issues of mutual interest were discussed in detail. Investment, trade and economic cooperation are an important part of Pakistan's multilateral relations with the European Union and Belgium. He said that GSP Plus has been a mutually beneficial initiative which has played a significant role in boosting bilateral trade between Pakistan and the European Union.
He said that Pakistan was committed to full implementation of 27 UN conventions on GSP +. Noting the effective role of Parliament in providing new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, the Foreign Minister emphasized the need to further strengthen the Pakistan-Belgium and Pakistan-EU partnership. The Foreign Minister apprised the members of the delegation of Pakistan's key role in the safe evacuation of foreign nationals, diplomats, staff of international organizations and media representatives from Afghanistan after August 15.
He said that being a close neighbor, Pakistan wished revival of economy and lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said that in order to get Afghanistan out of the humanitarian crisis, to stop the new influx of refugees, to save Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorists again and to pave the way for Afghan refugees to return home with dignity and respect. International cooperation is very important. He said that Pakistan was hosting an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on December 19 to draw the attention of the international community to the deteriorating economic situation in Afghanistan and the rapidly emerging humanitarian crisis.
The Foreign Minister apprised the European Parliamentarians of the grave human rights violations committed by the Indian occupying forces in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He thanked them for their commitment to enhance relations with the Union and for informing them of the regional situation.
The members of the delegation appreciated the dynamic and positive role of Pakistan in the international efforts for safe evacuation of foreigners from Afghanistan and provision of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. The two sides agreed to enhance parliamentary ties between Pakistan and Belgium.
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