ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi was accorded a warm welcome by the Foreign Minister of Iraq, Dr Fuad Hussein, as they met in Baghdad Saturday, said a press release issued on Saturday.

The two foreign ministers held delegation-level talks, and later continued their conversation over the lunch hosted by the Iraqi foreign minister.

The foreign ministers also delivered statements to the press after the delegation-level talks.

Qureshi thanked Dr Fuad Hussein for the invitation and warm hospitality extended during the visit.

During the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. They reaffirmed the long-standing and friendly ties between the two countries, rooted in shared faith, values and culture, and expressed desire to further augment bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s support for territorial integrity and sovereignty of Iraq, acknowledged the successes of Iraq and its people in the fight against terrorism and appreciated the resilience of Iraqi people in their efforts to overcome myriad of challenges.

The two foreign ministers also discussed how the global pandemic compounded various challenges faced by the developing countries.

Stressing that no single country could overcome the COVID-19 pandemic alone, Qureshi stressed the importance of international cooperation to save lives and livelihoods. He outlined Pakistan’s strategy to manage the pandemic, which included assisting friendly countries such as Iraq, where Pakistan dispatched three planes load of COVID-related assistance in March 2021. Qureshi stressed the importance of maintaining momentum in the high-level and ministerial visits between the two countries and early convening of the 9th Session of the Pakistan - Iraq Joint Ministerial Commission.—PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021