News Analysis |
The first direct interaction by the PTI-led government with foreign capitals commenced on Friday when Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kazuyuki Nakane held delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said,” Pakistan is an “important” neighboring country to Iran,” stressing that no third country could negatively affect relations between the two countries. In a meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Friday, Zarif said Tehran set no limitation to the expansion of ties with Islamabad.
Zarif conveyed his government’s felicitations to the prime minister and expressed the hope that the new leadership in Pakistan would work to foster ties with Iran.
The two foreign ministers deliberated on the matters pertaining to regional peace and stability, while pondering over more efficient ways to enhance mutual cooperation between two neighboring countries. During the meeting, the talks of strengthening ties also came under the discussion, Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted.
FM held talks with Iranian FM to enhance cooperation and strengthen relations with Iran and other neighbors to achieve regional peace and stability. Mr. Zarif conveyed best wishes of the Iranian leadership for success of new government under PM Imran Khan. pic.twitter.com/SyjOV2DyVl
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 31, 2018
Zarif also extended best wishes from the Iranian leadership to the new Pakistani government under Prime Minister Imran Khan. He stressed the importance of improving mutual relations at regional and international levels, saying the two countries must further strengthen cooperation in the sectors of border security and banking as well as cooperation between Iranian and Pakistani ports of Chabahar and Gwadar.
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Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif on Friday invited Prime Minister Imran Khan to attend the Asian Cooperation Dialogue in October. Zarif conveyed his government’s felicitations to the prime minister and expressed the hope that the new leadership in Pakistan would work to foster ties with Iran.
Imran, on his part, thanked the Iranian foreign minister over Tehran’s support for Kashmir issue and said Pakistan shared historic, religious and cultural ties with Iran.
Fruitful meetings in Islamabad with PM @ImranKhanPTI, Army Chief, Speaker & Foreign & Finance Ministers. In my 8th trip to Pakistan, I was honored to be the first minister received by new govt. Emphasis on expanding bilateral, regional & global partnership. Neighbors our priority pic.twitter.com/4J69DVNGSc
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) August 31, 2018
Mohamad Javad Zarif also called on Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs (EAD), Asad Umar and discussed matters of mutual interests.
Extending warm wishes for the people of Iran, Asad Umar hoped that the relations between the two Islamic and brotherly countries would strengthen further and there would be more chances of enhancing trade and energy cooperation between the two countries. Asad Umar thanked the Iranian Minister and stated that the finance ministry would continue to support its efforts for further strengthening relations between the two countries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said,” Pakistan is an “important” neighboring country to Iran,” stressing that no third country could negatively affect relations between the two countries.
Javad Zarif called on Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ also.General Bajwa and Iranian Foreign Minister discussed regional security situation and other matters of mutual interest. The Army Chief said, “Pakistan is taking sincere steps for peace and security in the region.”
The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan’s contributions for conflict prevention in the region. The State Minister for foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Kazuyuki Nakane, paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister. Mr Nakane congratulated the Foreign Minister on his appointment. He expressed his earnest desire to further strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Japan. Both countries expressed firm resolve to increase high-level interaction between the two countries.
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The Foreign Minister acknowledged the position of Japan as an important development partner. While recognizing the economic assistance provided by Japan, he invited Japanese investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and assured facilitation to Japanese investors in all the sectors. Foreign Minister emphasized the need to correct the balance of trade, which is currently heavily tilted in favor of Japan. They agreed to explore ways in which bilateral economic cooperation can be strengthened.
Mr. Nakane informed that the next round of Joint Government Business Dialogue would also be held during this year. Foreign Minister fondly recalled his last visit to Japan and thanked the Japanese Government for holding the meeting of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) in Tokyo. Foreign Minister also briefed the Japanese delegation on role of Gwadar Port in enhancing economic development, regional connectivity, peace and prosperity of the region.
Asad Umar thanked the Iranian Minister and stated that the finance ministry would continue to support its efforts for further strengthening relations between the two countries.
Foreign Minister appreciated the setting up of weather surveillance radar project in Multan City, which is hometown of the Foreign Minister. He acknowledged the role of this project which will enhance the capacity of Pakistani officials in disaster management. He also recalled and thanked the Japanese Government for their assistance to Pakistan during the devastating floods of 2010.
The two sides exchanged views on all-encompassing bilateral cooperation, including human resource development, education and science & technology. Foreign Minister suggested having institutional mechanisms between the two countries for cooperation in the field of human resource development, which is the priority sector of this government.
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Mr. Nakane also extended invitation to the Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi to visit Japan at his earliest convenience. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi also spoke to the Foreign Minister Stef Blok of the Netherlands today. This was the second telephonic conversation between the two Foreign Ministers this week.
The Foreign Ministers discussed the announcement by the Dutch Islamophobe parliamentarian Geert Wilders to call off the blasphemous caricature competition. The Dutch Foreign Minister reiterated his government’s position of disassociation with Wilder’s activities and assured of continued cooperation.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi noted that the timely efforts made by the two governments helped in achieving the desired result. He stressed on the need to work together to raise awareness and limiting the disturbing trend of Islamophobia, incitement to racial and religious hatred, and building bridges among civilizations. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to continue working together on issues of mutual interest.