CAIRO, Egypt: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has expressed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen and diversify bilateral ties.
In a meeting with the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah Al Sisi on Wednesday during his ongoing visit to Cairo, the foreign minister said his visit indicated Pakistan’s keenness to reinvigorate traditional bilateral relationship with Egypt rooted in shared faith, culture, and values.
Qureshi briefed the Egyptian president on various opportunities to strengthen mutual ties, in bilateral and multilateral arena.
Expressing satisfaction at the growing bilateral defense ties, the foreign minister said that the two countries could also share their experience in countering terrorism and extremism.
Called on President @alsisiofficial & conveyed Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI’s warmth & commitment to strengthen our decades old relationship, w/ enhanced & diversified bilat & multilateral cooperation; also conveyed Pakistan’s appreciation for positive role played by 🇪🇬 in region pic.twitter.com/hV5RchT6BY
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) February 17, 2021
The minister also briefed the Egyptian president on Pakistan’s shifting focus from geo-politics to geo-economics.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed that the vision of “Naya Pakistan” was predicated on economic connectivity and ensuring peace within and beyond our borders. He said Pakistan would always look to be a partner in peace and progress.
Further, the minister also briefed the president on the situation in Pakistan’s neighborhood, in particular Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate the Afghan Peace Process, the ongoing human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and continued denial of the Kashmiri people’s legitimate right to self-determination.
Stressing that Pakistan always supported resolution of differences through dialogue and diplomacy, the foreign minister appreciated Egypt’s recent efforts in the region.
The Egyptian president welcomed the foreign minister and reciprocated the warm feelings of the Pakistani leadership. He fondly recalled his recent interactions with Prime Minister Imran Khan.
President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi expressed hope that the visit of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi would pave the way for enhanced bilateral ties and dynamic multilateral cooperation.
The foreign minister presented the invitation of President Dr. Arif Alvi to the Egyptian president to visit Pakistan.
The Egyptian president graciously accepted the invitation and promised to visit at the earliest opportunity.
