Pakistan & Canada needed to further deepen & expand bilateral cooperation in diverse fields: FM Bilawal

ISLAMABAD, August 17 (SABAH): Foreign Minister of Canada, Ms. Mélanie Joly, had a video call with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday.

Ms. Joly congratulated the Foreign Minister on his assumption of office and hoped that Pakistan-Canada ties would further strengthen and widen under his leadership. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari thanked Ms. Joly for her call and gracious sentiments.

The Foreign Minister underlined that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Canada and maintained that both countries were holding activities to befittingly celebrate this milestone occasion. The Foreign Minister underscored that Pakistan and Canada needed to further deepen and expand bilateral cooperation in diverse fields. Agreeing with the Foreign Minister, Ms. Joly stressed that Canada was keen to solidify multi-dimentional ties with Pakistan.

In the context of situation in Afghanistan, Ms. Joly particularly thanked Pakistan for its unremitting support in the evacuation process since last August. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari underlined that Pakistan had been facilitating the evacuations on a humanitarian basis. The Foreign Minister also reiterated the need for scaled up support of the international community in protecting the lives and livelihoods of the Afghan people in the wake of dire humanitarian and economic crises and acknowledged Canada’s humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.

The Foreign Minister invited Ms. Mélanie Joly to visit Pakistan. The Canadian Foreign Minister accepted the invitation and underlined that she was looking forward to visit Pakistan at her earliest convenience. The two Ministers agreed to remain in close contact. The Foreign Minister also conveyed his cordial greetings and best regards to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.