Pakistan desires to reactivate its antarctic programme

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has expressed desire to reactivate its antarctic programme and undertaking more research expeditions to Antarctica by Pakistani experts with the collaboration of Argentina.

The matter was raised in the fourth round of bilateral political consultations between Pakistan and Argentina o Thursday. Both sides exchanged views on wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest in the meeting via a video link.

Additional Foreign Secretary (Americas) Faisal Niaz Tirmizi led the Pakistan side in talks with Under Secretary Foreign Policy Ambassador Jose Luis Perez Gabilondo from Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Ministry of Commerce also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Tirmizi emphasised the importance of expanding bilateral trade, increasing interaction at multiple levels. He suggested a virtual meeting of the Joint Trade Committee in the first quarter of 2021. He reiterated the offer for export of locally-produced ventilators to Argentina.

Tirmizi underlined the need for marking the completion of 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in in October next year. On behalf of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, he invited Argentinian Foreign Minister of to visit Pakistan.