Govt’s immediate priority was to address the serious domestic economic challenges: Bilawal
NEW YORK, May 19 (SABAH): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari attended a dinner in his honor hosted by the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram.
A number of Ambassadors from friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Iran, Oman, Italy, Malta, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, UAE, and Kuwait attended the dinner.
Speaking at the event, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari underlined that the government’s immediate priority was to address the serious domestic economic challenges through strengthening cooperation with all development partners and fraternal Islamic countries. He outlined Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities on wide range of global and regional issues including the situation in Afghanistan, Jammu and Kashmir, Security Council reform, Covid-19 pandemic, the related economic downturn, climate change, price inflation and food security.
The Foreign Minister stated that Pakistan looked forward to working closely with all friends and partners including OIC countries, members of the Security Council, European Union, United States, China, and others on all issues of mutual concern.
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on the sidelines of the Ministerial meeting on “Global Food Security Call to Action” in New York on Thursday.
Expressing satisfaction over the excellent bilateral partnership between the two countries, the Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to further enhance its wide-ranging cooperation with Turkey.
He noted that in November this year, the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Turkey will be celebrated in a befitting manner.
The Foreign Minister thanked the Turkish Government for its steadfast support and principled position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He also briefed his counterpart on the so-called “Delimitation Commission” and India’s illegal steps in IIOJK.
Views were also exchanged on various international issues. The Foreign Minister appreciated Turkey’s role and contributions towards the promotion of peace and stability in the region. The Foreign Minister appreciated Turkey’s support to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Both sides expressed commitment to work together to enhance economic cooperation and unleash the full potential of Pakistan-Turkey trade relations.
Both Ministers agreed to remain in close contact to maintain the upward trajectory and add momentum to the friendly ties between Pakistan and Turkey.
Meanwhile Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a meeting with the President of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA) and Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, in New York on Thursday.
The Foreign Minister commended the PGA on his excellent stewardship of the General Assembly during his “Presidency of Hope” and his efforts to mobilize the Assembly in building concrete response to the multiple old and new challenges confronting the world today.
The Foreign Minister underscored that, as the Chair of the Group of 77 (G-77), Pakistan has worked diligently to advance the development agenda in the General Assembly and other relevant UN forums. He underscored that Pakistan and the G-77 hoped to achieve tangible outcomes for ensuring COVID vaccine equity, preventing global food crisis, mobilizing financing for recovery from the pandemic, securing fulfillment of climate finance commitments, and accelerating investment in sustainable infrastructure in developing countries.
Emphasizing the importance of the UN Security Council reform process, the Foreign Minister stressed that any decision on the issue needs to be reached with consensus of UN member states.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the recognition of 15th March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia by the UN General Assembly, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to work closely with the PGA in evolving an agreed plan of action to combat Islamophobia.
The Foreign Minister underlined that durable peace between Pakistan and India will only be possible if the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is resolved on the basis of the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
He called for the reversal of the illegal and unilateral steps taken by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since 5 August 2019.
The Foreign Minister also briefed the PGA on the illegal ‘delimitation’ exercise in IIOJK aimed at altering the demographic composition of the occupied territory in complete violation of international law including the 4th Geneva Convention and the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir dispute.