MADRID, January 12 (Asia Free Press): Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with President of Spain’s Congress of Deputies Meritxell Batet and shared Pakistan’s progress in meeting the FATF’s Action Plan and discussing Afghanistan’s current situation, according to media reports.
During the meeting, the Foreign Minister, while appreciating Pakistan-Spain bilateral ties in different fields said, Spain was Pakistan’s important partner in the European Union, adding Pakistan was resolved to strengthen cooperation in multiple spheres, and the recent visit of his Spanish counterpart also helped in this regard, according to a state-run APP.
Mentioning the celebration of 70 years of Pakistan-Spain diplomatic engagements, the Foreign Minister emphasized the exchange of high-level delegations and activation of the parliamentary friendship groups.
Highlighting Pakistan’s successful strategy to tackle the COVID pandemic through smart lockdown, Qureshi added that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s proposal for debt relief to the developing countries to help them overcome the economic impact of the pandemic was lauded globally.
Referring to Afghanistan’s current unstable situation, the Foreign Minister said that being its immediate neighbour, Pakistan paid a considerable price of instability in Afghanistan by sacrificing 80,000 lives and facing an economic loss worth $150 billion and much more infrastructure damages.
Qureshi, in addition, claimed Pakistan always advocated for a political solution to the Afghan issue and that after 40 years, an opportunity for the revival of peace had come, which should not be missed.
He also thanked Spain for a donation of 20 million euros for Afghanistan and its intimation of efforts for the education of Afghan children, particularly the girls.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi also interacted with think tanks, journalists and defence experts at Pakistan House, wherein he said Pakistan had shifted its focus from geopolitics to geoeconomics.
He said that through its economic diplomacy, Pakistan was attracting the world towards the massive investment opportunities in an emerging market of 200 million people, which is one of the world’s largest markets.
While highlighting the role and responsibilities of think tanks organizations, Qureshi added its played an essential role in building public opinion, particularly amidst the fast-changing circumstances in the global scenario.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was on an official visit to Romania and Spain from 09-12 January 2022. This is his first diplomatic visit after hosting the 17th extraordinary moot of the OIC-CFMs on Afghanistan, which concluded December 19, 2021, with remarkable outcomes.
