Foreign Minister (FM) Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his counterpart from the Republic of Slovenia Anze Logar on Thursday exchanged views on the latest developments in Afghanistan.
During the telephonic conversation, the two Foreign Ministers also discussed matters regarding the deepening of bilateral relations.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said that being a next-door neighbour of Afghanistan, Pakistan and its people have suffered the most after the people of Afghanistan.
He underscored the paramount importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, for the safety and security of the people of Afghanistan and the region. He highlighted the salience of an inclusive political settlement.
Read More: Pakistan becomes world’s favorite due to Afghanistan evacuation process: FM Qureshi
The Foreign Minister underlined that the international community should remain engaged with Afghanistan to forestall a dire humanitarian situation and to ensure economic stability.
He underlined that the EU can play a pivotal role in this regard. The Republic of Slovenia currently holds the Presidency of the European Union.
Spoke to Slovenian FM @AnzeLog on #Afghanistan.
➖ Pakistan has suffered for 40 years from instability in Afg
➖ Peace is of paramount importance
➖From the outset, our focus has been ensuring safety & protection of rights of all Afghans. The int'l community must stay engaged.— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 2, 2021
Pakistan’s engagement with the EU
Pakistan prefers to keep its ties with the EU stable. However, the overall trajectory was at a low. On 29 April 2021, the European Parliament passed a resolution seeing the terrible record of religious persecution in Pakistan. The resolution was overwhelmingly passed, 662 to 3, with 26 not voting.
Read More: FM Qureshi to host Dutch Minister Sigrid Kaag in Islamabad
Another unprecedented action taken against Pakistan was that the resolution also called for the “Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) to immediately review Pakistan’s eligibility for GSP+ status in the light of current events and whether there is sufficient reason to initiate a procedure for the temporary withdrawal of this status and the benefits that come with it, and to report to the European Parliament on this matter as soon as possible.”
At the time anti-France sentiment was at a peak in Pakistan, with French nationals and companies leaving the country.
A country profile on Pakistan explained that the EU is Pakistan’s most important trading partner. “As a result of GSP+, more than 78% of Pakistan’s exports enter the EU at preferential rates. Around 80% of the textiles and clothing articles imported to the EU from Pakistan enter the EU at a preferential tariff rate. Around a quarter of these imports are bed linen, table linen and toilet and kitchen linen.”
As of now, the conditions have drastically changed. The world is acknowledging Pakistan’s significance as a contributor to stability in the region with the events unfolding in Afghanistan.
➖ We also discussed 🇵🇰 🇳🇱 cooperation & within the context of EU. We appreciate the Dutch Govt’s consistent support of our GSP Plus status. Our increase in bilateral trade is imp with The Netherlands being the 2nd largest country for Pakistan’s exports within EU. pic.twitter.com/suuflxXhGR
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 1, 2021
Read More: FM Qureshi discusses cooperation on Afghanistan with German FM Heiko Maas
German FM Heiko Maas and Dutch FM Sigrid Kaag have both shown immense support towards Pakistan and have offered to work together. Austrian FM Alexandr Schallenberg called FM Qureshi saying that Austria was ” grateful for the excellent cooperation.”
➖ Bilaterally, we deeply value our longstanding relations with Germany, now in our 70th year of friendship. We will soon inaugurate the Consulate General of Pakistan in Munich & are working to establish Iqbal-Goethe Center in Heidelberg. pic.twitter.com/KtfsEBBWfb
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 31, 2021
Good to speak w/ Austrian FM #AlexanderSchallenberg. On #Afghanistan, joint efforts of int’l community essential at this juncture, for security & prosperity of Afghan people as is an inclusive pol settlement. Pakistan continues to support govts & orgs in evacuation efforts 🇵🇰 🇦🇹
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 2, 2021
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Via APP with inputs from GVS