ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara and discussed ways to mobilise the international community to help stop Israeli aggression against the Palestinians.
During the meeting, it was reaffirmed that the international community had a collective responsibility in ensuring necessary steps to help address the dire situation, restore peace, and facilitate a just solution.
The foreign minister apprised his Turkish counterpart of the sentiment prevailing in Pakistan in support of Palestine including the resolution unanimously adopted by the National Assembly of Pakistan. The two foreign ministers also decided to jointly raise voice against the Israeli persecution of Palestinians.
Qureshi said we will not leave alone our Palestinian brothers. He said on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan is observing a day of solidarity with our Palestinian brothers on Friday. He said the entire Muslim community is in a state of pain due to the Israeli bombardment and the violence against Palestinians during Ramazan and Eid-ul-Fitr.
While taking stock of the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries, the two sides discussed the ongoing preparations for the 7th Session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council to be held in Turkey this year.
Foreign Minister Qureshi also reiterated appreciation for Turkey’s principled and steadfast support on the issue of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Underscoring Pakistan’s abiding interest in a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, he illustrated Pakistan’s consistent efforts to facilitate the Afghan peace process. He expressed hope that the Afghan parties would seize the opportunity and workout an inclusive politically-negotiated settlement. He also lauded Turkey’s valuable efforts to re-energise the Afghan peace process.
The Turkish Foreign Minister appreciated Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s address at the OIC’s Executive Committee at the level of Foreign Ministers and Pakistan’s continuous and robust support to the oppressed Palestinians.
Earlier, the Saudi Foreign Minister had convened a meeting of the OIC Executive Committee on Sunday to discuss the situation in Palestine.
The foreign minister, as a member of the Executive Committee, had also addressed the meeting. As part of Pakistan’s diplomatic endeavours, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Qureshi have reached out to a number of countries including Palestine, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia and others.
