Qureshi meets Saudi counterpart amid key regional developments

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday met his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers conference in Niamey in a development seen as significant in view of the recent regional developments particularly the current state of bilateral ties between the two countries.

“During the meeting, views were exchanged on bilateral relations, regional issues, cooperation at multilateral fora, and the Covid-19 situation,” said a statement issued here by the foreign office.

It said FM Qureshi extended felicitations to the Saudi leadership on successful convening of the G-20 Summit.

He also underscored that the relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is deep-rooted and long-standing.

The two sides agreed on further deepening bilateral trade and economic cooperation including in the field of energy, read the statement.

The two foreign ministers discussed OIC’s importance as the vital platform for Muslim Ummah and its role in the advancement of the Kashmir cause.

FM Qureshi apprised the Saudi foreign minister of the continuing grave situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and thanked him for the Kingdom’s principled and steadfast support for the just cause of Kashmir.

Prince Faisal underscored the importance Saudi Arabia attaches to its fraternal and strategic relationship with Pakistan. He conveyed the kingdom’s appreciation for the role played by Pakistan in maintaining regional peace and stability.

The two sides agreed to have further high-level exchanges to promote bilateral cooperation in relevant fields.

This was the first face to face meeting between the two foreign ministers since Qureshi in August expressed Pakistan’s frustration over lack of support from certain OIC countries on the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

Relationship between the two countries is apparently tense given their divergence of views on certain regional issues.

These fears were confirmed by the Pakistani move to return $1 billion to Saudi Arabia ahead of schedule while Riyadh is also believed to have refused to roll over the remaining $2 billion.

Meanwhile, FM Qureshi has also held a bilateral meeting with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on Afghan peace process and measures to further strengthen Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral relations.

Qureshi extended condolences to his Afghan counterpart over recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and Bamiyan and reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

The foreign minister also stressed the importance of reduction in violence leading to ceasefire to save lives and advance peace efforts.

Referring to the recent successful visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Kabul, the foreign minister conveyed that Pakistan remained committed to deepening bilateral cooperation in diverse fields. He underlined that the understandings reached during the visit and the ‘Shared Vision’ issued by the two sides will help take this process forward.

Reiterating Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the Afghan peace process, Qureshi conveyed that Pakistan will continue to facilitate the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process. Noting the recent progress in Intra-Afghan negotiations, he also emphasised the need to remain vigilant about the role of ‘spoilers’ who did not wish to see return of peace in the region.

FM Qureshi stressed that peace negotiations represented a historic opportunity, which must be seized by the Afghan leadership to establish enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

The foreign minister also underlined the need to utilise the tremendous potential in the economic and commercial fields which could be exploited by securing peace in Afghanistan and enhancing regional connectivity.

The foreign minister further underscored that the Afghan peace process offered the opportunity for return of Afghan refugees to their homeland with dignity and honour.

Appreciating Pakistan’s sincere efforts in support of the Afghan peace process, the Afghanistan foreign minister expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to Kabul and its important outcomes. He also thanked Foreign Minister Qureshi for his participation in the Geneva Conference and reaffirmation of Pakistan’s support for reconstruction and economic development of Afghanistan.

While reaffirming the resolve to closely follow-up on the prime minister’s visit to Kabul, the two foreign ministers agreed to pursue cooperation in relevant fields under the agreed mechanism of APAPPS.