Pakistan fully committed to implement 27 international conventions of the United Nations on GSP: FM Qureshi

BRUSSELS, Dec 08 (SABAH): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi says international cooperation is inevitable for bringing Afghanistan out of humanitarian crisis and a possible refugee influx.

He was talking to a delegation of members of European Union parliament from Belgium in Brussels on Wednesday. The meeting discussed international and regional issues as well as bilateral relations of Pakistan with Belgium and European Union member states.

He briefed the EU delegation about Pakistan’s key role in safe evacuation of foreign nationals, diplomats and media persons from Afghanistan after the Taliban take over.

He reiterated Pakistan’s desire as a close neighbor for economic rehabilitation and durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister apprised the EU delegation of the ongoing human rights abuses by Indian forces in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan and EU signed strategic Engagement plan in 2019 which helped in further strengthening the bilateral relations.

He said economic and trade cooperation is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s multifaceted ties with Belgium and European Union. He said the grant of GSP plus status to Pakistan helped increase mutual trade between Pakistan and European Union. He said Pakistan is fully committed to implement 27 international conventions of the United Nations on GSP.

Emphasizing the role of parliaments in bilateral cooperation, the Foreign Minister stressed for solidifying Pak-EU and Pak-Belgium partnership.

On the occasion, the EU parliamentarians thanked Shah Mahmood Qureshi for apprising them of regional situation and vowed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties with EU countries.

The delegation appreciated Pakistan’s positive and constructive role in evacuation of foreign nationals from Afghanistan and extending humanitarian assistance to that country.