ISLAMABAD: In the apparent backdrop of escalation of ongoing conflict between Saudia Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis, Foreign Minister Qureshi on Wednesday “reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” during a telephonic conversation with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to “exchange views on bilateral relations, regional situation and issues of common interest.”
Qureshi underlined that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have historic and deep-rooted fraternal ties which have stood the test of time, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
He appreciated consistent support of the Kingdom to Pakistan, especially in hour of need, and steadfast solidarity on the Kashmir cause, the statement said.
“The Saudi foreign minister reciprocated the warm feelings and termed Pakistan as a close brotherly country,” it said.
The two foreign ministers agreed to enhance bilateral ties and continue close collaboration on all issues of mutual interest, the statement added.
The statement comes as significant at a time when conflict between Saudi Arabia and Hothis has intensified. Some media reports suggested that Pakistan’s foreign minister, during telephonic conversation with his Saudi counterpart, condemned recent attacks by Houthis on Saudi installations.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with Ambassador Raychelle Awuor Omamo, Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
Views were exchanged on wide ranging issues of mutual interest related to bilateral political, trade and economic ties, as well as cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral for a, MOFA said in a statement.
Foreign minister congratulated Ambassador Omama on Kenya’s election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2021-22, the statement said adding that Qureshi expressed the hope that with the Kenyan presence in the Security Council, the promotion of peace and security in Africa and other regions of the world would be strengthened.
“Foreign Minister also recalled the first-ever Pakistan-Africa Trade Development Conference, organized in Nairobi in January 2020. The meeting was part of Pakistan’s ‘Engage Africa’ Initiative in pursuance of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s foreign policy vision of strengthening political-diplomatic linkages, deepening mutually-beneficial trade and economic ties, and expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges with African nations. The Foreign Minister emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to continued collaboration on all of these tracks with Kenya,” MOFA statement said adding that the two ministers agreed to remain engaged on issues of common interest, both bilateral and multilateral.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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