*BEIJING, China: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Russianand Iranian Counterparts on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of theNeighbouring Countries of Afghanistan in China on Wednesday.*
In his meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation SergeyLavrov, the two foreign ministers reviewed Pakistan-Russia bilateralrelations and exchanged views on the regional situation.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi shared Pakistan’s principled position on the situationin Ukraine including cessation of hostilities, provision of humanitarianassistance, and efforts for a solution through dialogue and diplomacy.
The foreign minister expressed the hope that talks between Russia andUkraine would succeed in finding a diplomatic solution.
Qureshi also conveyed Pakistan’s readiness to reinforce efforts for adiplomatic solution including through the OIC platform.
Separately in another meeting, the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshiand the Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian had acomprehensive review of bilateral relations and the regional situation.
Referring to the frequent high-level exchanges, Qureshi reaffirmedPakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas.
The foreign minister expressed the hope that the Joint Economic CommissionSession would be held at the earliest to boost trade and economiccollaboration.
The foreign minister expressed satisfaction on the facilitative movement oftrucks under TIR, which would further strengthen economic linkages in theregion.
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Qureshi also underscored the importance of earliest completion of bordermarkets in the context of enhanced bilateral economic cooperation.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi appreciated Iran’s steadfast support for the Kashmircause, especially at the Supreme Leader level.
The foreign minister also briefed on the unprovoked violation of Pakistan’sairspace by an Indian supersonic missile, underlining that such actionswere fraught with grave implications and represented a serious threat toregional peace and stability.
On the situation in Afghanistan, he highlighted that as neighbours,Pakistan and Iran had been closely coordinating. Pakistan would continue toplay its role for political and economic stability of Afghanistan, whichwould ultimately benefit the entire region.
The Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian reaffirmed Iran’sdesire to further strengthen fraternal ties in diverse areas of bilateralcooperation.
The Iranian foreign minister also extended an invitation to Qureshi tovisit Iran to carry forward the process of expansion of bilateral relations.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is visiting China to participatein the Third Ministerial Meeting of Neighboring Countries of Afghanistanfrom March 29-31, 2022.
