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ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephone conversation with the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres.
They discussed views on a wide range of issues on the UN agenda including the COVID-19 situation, economic recovery during the pandemic; international debt relief efforts and equitable availability of vaccines for the developing countries as well as peacekeeping; Jammu and Kashmir dispute and Afghan peace process.
The foreign minister lauded Guterres’ leadership during challenging times and expressed Pakistan’s full support for re-appointment for a second five-year tenure.
FM Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding commitment to multilateralism with the UN playing a central role for the delivery of its mandates that meet the expectations of member states.
Guterres appreciated Pakistan’s constructive contributions towards the effective functioning of the organisation in the different areas of its work, calling Pakistan a “fundamental partner of the United Nations.”
He lauded Pakistan’s presidency of UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the promotion of the socio-economic development agenda. He briefed the foreign minister on UN efforts with regard to the situation in Afghanistan.
Qureshi underscored Pakistan’s positive contributions to the Afghan peace process. He noted that it is imperative for the concerned parties to seize the historic opportunity and work together for securing an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement while guarding against the role of ‘spoilers’.
The two leaders agreed that the Afghan peace process should be taken forward through consultations and in a manner that helps establish durable peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan and the region.
