Pak-Belarus consultations focus on bilateral relations

The fifth round of Pakistan-Belarus Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held in Minsk focused on the whole range of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The Pakistan side was led by Additional Secretary (Europe) Dr Muhammad Tariq and Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Nikolai Boresivich led his side.

Ambassador of Pakistan Sajjad Haider Khan and Ambassador of Belarus in Islamabad also attended the meeting, Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday.

The two delegations discussed progress on implementing various agreements/MoUs signed between the two countries in diverse fields.

Both sides agreed on the importance of high-level exchanges as well as enhancing collaboration in economic and trade, agriculture, industry, science & technology, information technology, education, culture, tourism and defence sectors.

It was also agreed to expeditiously conclude the agreements/MoUs currently under process.

Additional Secretary Dr Muhammad Tariq apprised the Belarusian side of Pakistan’s positive efforts in facilitating Afghan peace process with the aim of promoting an inclusive and broad-based political settlement with emphasis on Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.

He also highlighted the human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and stressed that Indian actions of August 5, 2019 had vitiated the atmosphere and the onus was on New Delhi to create an enabling environment for engagement and result-oriented talks.

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The additional secretary stressed the importance of solution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.

He underscored Pakistan’s focus on ensuring economic security through leveraging its geo-economic location, building development partnerships, and promoting regional peace and security.

Dr Tariq also briefed Belarusian side on the government’s efforts to tackle the pandemic without jeopardising economic well-being of people and thanked them for receiving him despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the steadily growing cooperation in different areas, especially the recent interactions between the two governments including the recent visit of Zubaida Jalal, Minister for Defence Production, to Minsk.

Consultations ended with the two countries agreeing to hold the next round on mutually convenient dates in Islamabad.