Pakistani FM Qureshi reaffirms Pakistan’s ties with Iraq during his official visit

Pakistani FM Qureshi reaffirms Pakistan’s ties with Iraq during his official visit

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Saturday reached Iraq and showed the Pakistani Govt desire to increase existing bilateral ties with each other. The Pakistani FM conveyed these expressions when he met with Iraqi President Dr. Barham Salih.

The FM also reassured Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq in a press conference. Shah Mahmood Qureshi also wished peace, progress, and prosperity for the Muslims of Iraq. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also informed the President of Pakistan’s vision centered around economic security, shifting focus from geo-politics to geo-economics.

They also briefed Salih on the current situation in South Asia, in particular Pakistan’s approach towards disputes with India for Kashmir, Pakistan’s consistent support for the Peace in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s steadfast diplomatic support for the just cause of Palestine.

Iraqi PM Mustafa Al-Kadhimi also met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. On behalf of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, extended an invitation to Iraqi PM to visit Pakistan.

The Iraqi PM accepted  PM Imran Khan’s invitation to Pakistan. Pakistan’s top diplomat also lauded the Iraqi people for their resilience against the serious challenges they had faced against peace and security. Qureshi also paid tribute to the Iraqi people for the sacrifices they made in the fight against terrorism. The Pakistani foreign minister told the Iraqi PM that he came to translate Pakistan’s existing friendly relationship with Iraq.

Qureshi also briefed Kadhimi on Pakistan’s focus on building connectivity and economic diplomacy with other countries. He also explained specific areas, such as tourism, export, development, investment, and food, in which the two countries should significantly benefit from enhanced cooperation. He also stated Pakistan’s want to meet its energy requirements of oil from Iraq. He laid special focus on the need to further strengthen people-to-people relationships, in particular facilitating thousands of Pakistani Zaireen who visit Iraq every year.

Qureshi also focused on the need for high-level visits between Islamabad and Baghdad for building positive relationships. The Pakistani FM suggested that Pakistan and Iraq should develop an overarching framework of political and bilateral cooperation at the Foreign Ministers level to provide impetus to deep and strengthen the mutually beneficial partnerships. The Iraqi PM showed interest in cooperating with Pakistan in the health sector and also suggested that the two countries should look into the possibility of utilizing Pakistan’s health facilities for the Iraqi people.