ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu on Saturday.
During the call, the two foreign ministers exchanged views on Pakistan-Turkey bilateral relations and reviewed the latest situation in Afghanistan.
Qureshi said that the recent visit of President Dr. Arif Alvi to Turkey for the launching ceremony of MILGEM Naval Ship further strengthened bilateral cooperation.
Spoke to my brother FM @MevlutCavusoglu on #Afghanistan.
➖A peaceful & stable Afghanistan is of paramount importance for 🇵🇰 & region
➖The primary focus is on ensuring safety, security & protection of Afghan rights
➖Forging an inclusive political settlement is best way forward.— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 21, 2021
The two foreign ministers also recalled the recent telephone conversation between Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about developments in Afghanistan.
Reiterating Pakistan’s support for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan, Qureshi underlined the importance of an inclusive political solution as the best way forward.
The foreign minister added that Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) had underscored the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for Pakistan and the region.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed the hope that the Afghan leaders would work together to achieve inclusive political settlement.
Qureshi added that the current situation in Afghanistan required sustained international engagement to ensure stability and long-term economic development.
The foreign minister also apprised his Turkish Counterpart of Pakistan’s facilitative role in evacuation of personnel of Embassies, international organizations, media entities and others.
The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu appreciated Pakistan’s role in the current situation and thanked the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for facilitating Turkey’s evacuation efforts.
The two foreign ministers agreed to coordinate closely on the situation in Afghanistan.
