FM Qureshi, Irish counterpart discuss Covid-19 challenges

Irish foreign minister expresses support for the PM Imran's debt relief initiative, says FO

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephone conversation with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney on Monday and discussed range of issues including Covid-19 pandemic, cooperation at the multilateral fora and the prospects for enhanced bilateral cooperation.

Underscoring that the global pandemic is the gravest challenge to confront humanity in a century,  the foreign minister offered condolences over loss of precious lives and commended the effective measures being taken by Ireland to contain the outbreak, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

FM Qureshi briefed Simon, who is also a deputy prime minister of Ireland, about the latest situation of coronavirus in Pakistan and steps being taken by the government to contain its spread,

"The two foreign ministers agreed that working together is the best way forward to fight the pandemic," the communique added.



While elaborating upon Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call for Global Initiative on Debt Relief for developing countries, the foreign minister underlined the need for closer cooperation to mitigate the impact of the economic slowdown and devote more resources to manage the on-going crisis.

He underscored that a global approach is required to address the global challenge.

The Irish foreign minister expressed support for the debt relief initiative and assured to play a positive role.

FM Qureshi also expressed deep concerns over continuing double lockdown and intensified military crackdown by Indian occupation forces in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).

He denounced India’s moves to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory, calling it a clear violation of relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and international law.

Qureshi said that the Modi government’s policies are posing a serious threat to regional peace and security and also highlighted the rise of Islamophobia in India and expressed concerns over demonisation of Indian Muslims on the pretext of Covid-19 outbreak.

The two foreign ministers agreed to remain engaged, the official statement said.