Ishaq Dar stresses the need for an early resumption of PIA flights to Europe

ISLAMABAD, April 24 (SABAH): European Union Ambassador Riina Kionka paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and congratulated him on his appointment.

They discussed Pakistan-EU bilateral relationship and expressed satisfaction over the significant progress of the Pakistan-EU institutional mechanisms. They appreciated the trajectory of bilateral relationship and frequent high-level interaction and dialogue.

Foreign Minister said Pakistan sees the EU as a valued partner. He emphasized the significance of direct flights between Pakistan and European countries and stressed the need for an early resumption of PIA flights to Europe.

Appreciating of the EU consistent support to Pakistan, FM reaffirmed support for strengthening the strategic partnership in all areas, inter alia, trade, migration, climate change.

The EU Ambassador assured EU’s full cooperation to Pakistan in the domain of economic diplomacy.

Meanwhile Assistant Secretary General (ASG), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, called on Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday.

The Foreign Minister appreciated the important work carried out by the UNDP since the catastrophic floods in Pakistan in 2022, on the Sustainable Development Agenda and climate action.

The Foreign Minister said expressed Pakistan‘s desire to enhance cooperation with the UNDP in strengthening climate resilience and adaptation and pursuing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and socio-economic development. He emphasized that the UN system could play a critical role in supporting developing countries in terms of the achievement of SDGs as well as climate agenda, by galvanizing international solidarity and cooperation.

The Foreign Minister added that assistance to countries most vulnerable to climate change will enable them to rebuild from natural disasters and to adapt to the ever more frequent and more ferocious climate impacts.

Assistant Secretary General Wignaraja thanked the Government of Pakistan for its continued cooperation and support to the UNDP in implementation of various projects in Pakistan. She also appreciated Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement at the United Nations.