Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have formalized acomprehensive partnership, renewing their commitment to enhancing bilateraltrade and fostering stronger business ties, marking a significant step intheir diplomatic relations.
The genesis of this agreement can be traced back to a meeting between theCaretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, and the GCCSecretary-General, Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. This pivotal encounter occurredon the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly held in NewYork, where both parties came to a mutual understanding.
During this momentous meeting, the Caretaker Foreign Minister conveyed hiscontentment regarding the progress made in negotiations for thePakistan-GCC Free Trade Agreement. He further emphasized the urgency ofbringing these negotiations to a successful conclusion, recognizing theimmense potential for economic cooperation.
In response, the GCC Secretary-General expressed his commitment to closecollaboration in order to expedite the finalization of the Pakistan-GCCFree Trade Agreement. This commitment underlines the shared dedication topromoting trade between Pakistan and the GCC member states.
Beyond trade, the Foreign Minister stressed Pakistan’s eagerness tostrengthen institutional ties with the GCC and its member nations. Thisaligns with the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Dialogue, a testament toPakistan’s commitment to fostering robust diplomatic relations.
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Lastly, the Foreign Minister proposed the possibility of hosting a GCCForeign Ministers’ Conference in Islamabad, a proposition originally putforth during the inaugural meeting of the Political Dialogue in March ofthe same year. This idea further signifies Pakistan’s intent to deepen itsties with the GCC.
Furthermore, during the meeting, both parties engaged in discussions onregional and global issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Minister alsotook the opportunity to brief the GCC Secretary-General on the situation inIndian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), shedding light on thegrave human rights violations perpetrated by Indian forces against innocentcivilians in the region. This dialogue reflects the broader scope of theirdiplomatic relations, encompassing concerns beyond bilateral trade andcooperation.
