MANAMA/ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry Sunday pledged to revitalise trade ties for mutual benefit of the two countries.
Aziz, who is in Bahrain to attend the Manama Security Dialogue – 12th regional security summit, held bilateral meetings with Sameh Shoukry and Prince Turki Al Fasial, chairman King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the summit.
During meeting with Egyptian minister, it was decided to convene the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Islamabad to undertake a comprehensive overview of ongoing cooperation and set future directions.
The two sides welcomed the outcome of Bilateral Political Consultations held in May this year in Cairo, which provided a useful mechanism of consultations to closely coordinate respective positions on regional and international issues.
Aziz and Sameh Shoukry also discussed the situation in the Middle East and threats faced by Muslim Ummah from evil forces of sectarianism, terrorism and extremism.
Shoukry praised the efforts of Pakistan in war on terror. He appreciated close cooperation between Egypt and Pakistan at the United Nations and other multilateral forums. The two sides agreed to closely coordinate their respective positions on Security Council reform and to support each other’s candidatures for various UN bodies.
During meeting with the King Faisal Foundation chairman, the adviser proposed joint programmes between King Faisal Foundation and Pakistani universities in the field of de-radicalisation, which was welcomed. Prince Turki also conveyed his warm greetings to the prime minister of Pakistan.
Separately, Pakistan and Bahrain have agreed to take bilateral cooperation in economic and trade sector to a new level by holding the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting next month.
It was decided during a meeting of Sartaj Aziz with Bahraini Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa on the sidelines of Manama Security Dialogue in Bahrain.
During the meeting, Aziz briefed the foreign minister about Pakistan’s success in counter terrorism, which led to marked improvement in internal security, paving the way for sustained economic growth and foreign direct investment.
Bahrain and other countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council could benefit from the opportunities offered by economic turnaround and connectivity projects in Pakistan, he added.
Shaikh Khalid appreciated Pakistan’s success in war on terror. He welcomed the prospects of economic growth in Pakistan as a result of improved security, and said that he looked forward to his upcoming visit to Pakistan as an opportunity to lay the foundation of robust economic and trade relations between the two countries.
Regional and international issues, including situation in Middle East, Yemen and Syria came under discussion. Aziz briefed the foreign minister on the situation in Afghanistan and South Asia.
