ISLAMABAD – Foreign Minister of Austria Alexander Schallenberg on Thursdaysaid Pakistan had taken effective steps in eradicating terrorism andrestoring peace in Afghanistan.
Addressing a joint press conference along with Foreign Minister ShahMahmood Qureshi here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Austrianforeign minister said Pakistan had made an immense contribution towardsensuring peace and stability in the region.
FM Schallenberg, who arrived in Islamabad Wednesday on a four-day visit,held a meeting with FM Qureshi where the two sides discussed a whole rangeof bilateral matters as well as regional and global issues.
FM Schallenberg thanked the government of Pakistan for ensuring the smoothrepatriation of its stranded nationals from Afghanistan and pointed outthat the world could witness a big refugee influx from the conflict-hitcountry.
He said Austria was keen to explore the South Asian trade markets and addedthat his visit would open up a new era of his country’s relations withPakistan.
He mentioned that during his meeting with FM Qureshi, several areas ofimportance including trade, climate change, and green energy came underdiscussion.
With the Russian war in Ukraine, he said a new world order was in themaking, adding that the situation could lead to a crisis.
The Austrian FM said Pakistan was hosting the meeting of the Organizationof Islamic Cooperation which was an important step.
He said Austria had always played an effective role in promoting basicrights and freedom and mentioned that the United Nations Charter had aclear manifestation of tolerance towards other religions.
Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan attached great importance to itsrelations with Austria and considered it an important country of theEuropean Union.
He mentioned the excellent investment opportunities available for Austriancompanies in Pakistan in the fields of renewable energy, tourism, housing,agriculture, and information technology.
He said the special economic zones under China Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC) also offered attractive incentives and tax concessions for Austrianinvestors.
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He hoped that Austria would continue to support Pakistan in the fourthbiennial review of GSP + status this year.
FM Qureshi said Pakistan believed that constructive diplomatic andpolitical engagement of the international community with Afghanistan wouldensure lasting peace and stability.
The foreign minister mentioned that Pakistan provided all possibleassistance for the evacuation of diplomats, representatives ofinternational organizations, NGOs and media persons from Afghanistan.
He emphasized joint and coordinated efforts to prevent human tragedy inAfghanistan.
He expressed confidence that the visit of the Austrian foreign minister toPakistan would impart further impetus to the multifaceted Pakistan-Austriarelationship.
Qureshi said he apprised his Austrian counterpart on serious human rightsviolations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
To a question on the current Ukraine situation, he said Pakistan waswatching the developments with concern.
He said Pakistan had emphasized the importance of continuous efforts forthe elimination of hostilities, establishment, and maintenance ofhumanitarian corridors, provision of humanitarian aid, and diplomaticefforts.
He said the Ukraine conflict was not a war of Europe and stressed that thevisit of Austrian FM was of business and geopolitical nature.
