German FM cuts trip short after positive Covid test

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is cutting a trip abroad short after testing positive for the coronavirus on her first stop in Pakistan, her ministry confirmed on Tuesday.

Annalena, who met earlier Tuesday with her Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad, has cancelled all further dates of the trip, which also included stops in Greece and Turkey, said the ministry.

She tested positive after lunch after she had noticed that she lost her sense of taste, said the ministry. A rapid antigen test she took in the morning had been negative, it added.

It is unclear when she will return to Germany.

Bilawal also isolated himself after meeting the German foreign minister. According to sources, the Pakistani foreign minister will get himself tested for Covid and perform all official and political duties from his residence.

In his message on Twitter, Bilawal said he came to know that FM Annalena had tested positive for Covid. He wished her good health and quick recovery.

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Bilawal further said that in view of the day’s “best discussion” with FM Annalena, he sought continuous contacts and meetings in the future to further strengthen ties between Pakistan and Germany.

Germany’s Foreign Minister Baerbock had arrived in Islamabad earlier today on a two-day visit to hold talks with Pakistan’s leadership on matters of mutual interests.

Upon her arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and other senior officials accorded her a warm welcome.

Foreign Minister Baerbock was invited to Pakistan by FM Bhutto.