ISLAMABAD, Jan 06, (Asia Free Press): Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a regional, intergovernmental political and economic union for the Arab states of the Gulf, in line with their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strategic Dialogue, which finalised the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Dialogue from 2022 to 2026, reported APP.
The Action Plan, which provides an institutional approach to deepen bilateral engagements in different fields including Political, Security, Trade and Investment, Agricultural and Food Security, Transportation, Energy, Environment, Health, Culture and Education, was finalised during the delegation level meeting between Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Secretary-General of GCC Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf in Islamabad.
During delegation-level talks, the two sides reviewed Pakistan-GCC cooperation in diverse fields, and explored new possibilities for an enhanced mutually-beneficial partnership, Foeign office said in a statement.
They also exchanged views on the regional developments, in particular the prevailing humanitarian situation in the terrorism-affected Afghanistan and the worsening human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir ( IOJK).
The Action Plan would impart a strong impetus towards optimally realizing the tremendous potential for increased cooperation between Pakistan and the Gulf body, it was underscored by Qureshi and Al-Hajraf while welcoming the finalization of the Joint Action Plan for Strategic Dialogue.
Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed gratitude to the GCC and its member states for strong expression of support for the people of Afghanistan in the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, which concluded in Islamabad, Pakistan on 19 December, 2021.
Foreign Minister Qureshi along with the GCC Secretary General said that the two sides have agreed to finalize the negotiations for signing the Pakistan-GCC FTA by March 31, 2022.
He said there was unanimity of views on the issue of enhanced trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and GCC.
GCC Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf in his turn, said that Pakistan and the GCC countries, which enjoy historic and strategic relations, have commonality on views on international and regional matters.
There are ample opportunities of cooperation between the two sides, Pakistan and GCC countries can further strengthen their strategic partnership and cooperation in different areas of mutual interest, Al-Hajraf added while appreciating Pakistan for hosting the extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers which concluded in Islamabad on December 19, 2021, which the Secretary-General have also attended.
