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ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday expressed Pakistan’s desire to strengthen bilateral relations with Australia in the fields of economy, trade, education and defence.
In a telephonic conversation with Australian counterpart Marise Payne, the foreign minister asserted that Pakistan gave importance to its relations with Australia.
Talking about Afghanistan, FM Qureshi said the international community must take concrete steps for the humanitarian assistance of the Afghan people. “The world community will have to take decisions regarding Afghanistan keeping in view the challenges there,” he added.
The foreign minister pointed out that Pakistan had been most affected because of violence in Afghanistan as it is a close neighbour. “Pakistan extended help for the safe evacuation of about 21,000 people of 37 countries from Afghanistan,” he added.
In October, the foreign minister said that Pakistan desired a broad-based, long-term and sustainable relationship with the United States for the promotion of economic cooperation and regional peace.
The FM’s remarks came during a meeting with visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Islamabad. “A regular and organised dialogue between the two countries is important to promote bilateral relations as well as to achieve shared regional objectives,” Qureshi added.
