Austrian FM lauds Pak efforts for Afghan peace

ISLAMABAD:

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg praised on Thursday Pakistan’s “effective steps” for eradicating terrorism and restoring peace in Afghanistan and thanked Islamabad for ensuring smooth repatriation of stranded foreign nationals from the war-torn country.

Addressing a joint press conference along with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Austrian foreign minister said Pakistan had made an immense contribution towards ensuring peace and stability in the region.

Schallenberg, who arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday on a four-day visit, held a meeting with Foreign Minister Qureshi, wherein the two sides discussed the whole range of bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues.

Schallenberg thanked the government of Pakistan for ensuring the smooth repatriation of its stranded nationals from Afghanistan and pointed out that the world could witness a big refugee influx from the conflict-hit country.

He said Austria was keen to explore the South Asian trade markets and added that his visit would open a new era of his country’s relations with Pakistan. He mentioned that during his meeting with Qureshi, several areas of importance, including trade, climate change, and green energy came under discussion.

With the war in Ukraine, Schallenberg said, a new world order was in the making, adding that the situation could lead to a crisis. He also said that Pakistan was hosting the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which was an important step.

“Austria has always played an effective role in promoting basic rights and freedoms,” Schallenberg said, adding that the United Nations Charter had a clear manifestation of tolerance towards other religions.

On the occasion, Qureshi said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Austria and considered it an important country of the European Union. He mentioned the excellent investment opportunities available for Austrian companies in Pakistan.

He added that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) also offered attractive incentives and tax concessions for Austrian investors. He hoped that Austria would continue to support Pakistan in the fourth biennial review of GSP+ status this year.

Qureshi said that Pakistan believed that constructive diplomatic and political engagement of the international community with Afghanistan would ensure lasting peace and stability. He emphasized joint and coordinated efforts to prevent human tragedy in Afghanistan.

The foreign minister mentioned that Pakistan provided all possible assistance for the evacuation of diplomats, representatives of international organisations, NGOs and media persons from Afghanistan.

He expressed confidence that the visit of the Austrian foreign minister to Pakistan would impart further impetus to the multifaceted Pakistan-Austria relationship. Qureshi said he apprised his Austrian counterpart on serious human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Responding to a question on the current Ukraine situation, he said Pakistan was watching the developments with concern. He said the Ukraine conflict was not a war of Europe and stressed that the visit of Austrian foreign minister was of business and geopolitical nature.

He said Pakistan had emphasised the importance of continuous efforts for the elimination of hostilities, establishment, and maintenance of humanitarian corridors in Ukraine, provision of humanitarian aid, and diplomatic efforts.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan desired to add further substance to its excellent bilateral cooperation with Austria across the broad range — including trade, investment, higher education, IT, tourism, climate change, and so on.

He emphasized that Pakistan highly valued its long-standing and cordial relations with Austria.

The Prime Minister was talking to Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, Alexander Schallenberg, who called on him here.

During the meeting, the focus was on bilateral relations, regional situation and international issues.

The Austrian Foreign Minister thanked the Prime Minister for receiving him and informed that he was accompanied by a big business delegation. He conveyed greetings of the Federal Chancellor of Austria.