Qureshi holds talks with Saudi FM
RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi concluded his trip to Riyadh and Tehran after holding talks with leadership of the two countries aimed at defusing tension in the Middle East.
According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office here on Monday, as part of his trip to regional countries on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Qureshi visited Riyadh on 13 January 2020 after concluding his two-day trip to Tehran on 12-13 January.
In Riyadh, it stated that Qureshi had an in-depth exchange of views on recent developments with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. During the meeting, bilateral matters were also discussed.
The foreign minister underscored that the fraternal ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are deep-rooted and multi-faceted and the strategic relationship between the two countries is growing in myriad dimensions.
The foreign minister shared in detail Pakistan’s perspective on the recent developments in the Middle East/Gulf region.
The foreign minister highlighted the thrust of his diplomatic outreach as part of the Prime Minister’s direction that Pakistan must support all efforts aimed at avoiding conflict and resolving differences and disputes through political and diplomatic means.
The foreign minister apprised his Saudi counterpart of his telephonic conversations with the foreign ministers of regional countries, and other diplomatic contacts, noting an overwhelming level of support for efforts for de-escalation.
Noting the serious implications for peace and security of recent events, the foreign minister underscored the need for all sides to exercise maximum restraint, avoid taking any further escalatory step, work for defusing tensions, and find ways for constructive engagement.
As “partner for peace”, the foreign minister stated, Pakistan would support all efforts for peace and provide all possible facilitation for constructive engagement among parties.
The foreign minister also thanked Saudi Arabia for its steadfast support for the Kashmir issue and exchanged views on deepening bilateral cooperation in economic and financial fields. The Saudi foreign minister reaffirmed the strategic importance of Saudi-Pakistan relations and the resolve to deepen mutual cooperation in all fields. In the regional context, the Saudi foreign minister welcomed the foreign minister’s visit and Pakistan’s support for efforts to defuse tensions, preserve peace and security, and help find a diplomatic way forward. The two sides agreed to remain engaged and consult closely on issues affecting peace and security in the region and beyond. Foreign Minister Qureshi earlier arrived in Riyadh on Monday after his two days trip to Tehran on the first leg of his visit to regional countries with a view to supporting efforts for defusing tensions and promoting a diplomatic way forward.
In Tehran, Foreign Office said that the Foreign Minister called on President Dr Hassan Rouhani and had a separate meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif.
