VALLETTA, Malta: The inaugural round of Pakistan-Malta Bilateral Political Consultations was held in Malta’s Capital Valletta on December 6, 2019.
The Special Secretary (Europe) Dr Aman Rashid and the Maltese Director-General (Political and EU Affairs) Ms. Maria Camilleri Calleja led their respective delegations.
The two sides discussed the whole spectrum of Pakistan-Malta bilateral relations including political, economic, education, and people-to-people contacts. They expressed their mutual desire to increase high-level interactions for further strengthening of bilateral cooperation.
The Special Secretary briefed the Maltese side on the political and economic developments in Pakistan, including the recent positive changes in economic outlook and Ease of Doing Business. The Maltese companies were encouraged to invest in different sectors, including tourism, and information technologies. The Maltese side was apprised of Pakistan’s commitment to the GSP Plus and its relevant conventions, seeking its continued support on the matter.
The two sides also exchanged views on important international and regional issues.
The Maltese side was apprised of the untold atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian Occupation Forces in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K).
The Pakistani side underlined the need for the international community to urge India to stop the gross violations of human rights in IOJ&K, and also play its role in facilitating peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The Maltese side was also briefed on Pakistan’s support for peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. It was emphasized that a politically negotiated settlement, led and owned by Afghans, represented the only and best way forward.
The Maltese side appreciated Pakistan’s support to the efforts for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and Prime Minister’s initiative for defusion of tensions in the Middle East and resolution of disputes and differences through diplomatic means. The Maltese side also expressed its wish to see the Kashmir dispute resolved through dialogue.
The Maltese side gave an overview of the developments in its region, including EU, Commonwealth, Migration and Brexit. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation at the international fora, including at the UN, and agreed to continue supporting each other.
The next round of Pakistan-Malta Bilateral Political Consultations will be held in Islamabad on mutually agreed dates.
