MM News

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephone conversation with his Romanian counterpart Bogdan Aurescu and conveyed his appreciation for the assistance rendered by the Romanian side in the evacuation of people from Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Qureshi said that he looked forward to continued and swift facilitation in border crossing of the Pakistani students and community members being evacuated. The Romanian foreign minister assured Romania’s full support and cooperation in the evacuation process.

Sharing Pakistan’s perspective, the foreign minister noted that Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his recent visit to Moscow, had regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, as they hit developing countries the hardest economically.

Besides reviewing bilateral relations, the two ministers also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. The foreign minister underlined the indispensability of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve disputes. The two ministers agreed to remain in close contact.

Talks with Polish FM

A day earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of Poland Mr Zbigniew Rau and discussed the Ukraine situation and other issues.

The two sides exchanged views on Pakistan-Poland relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest. Recalling his earlier phone conversation with the Polish Foreign Minister last September, the foreign minister stated that Pakistan had close ties with Poland and remained committed to further enhance them across all areas of mutual benefit.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s serious concern and underscored Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

The foreign minister noted that Prime Minister Imran Khan in his recent visit to Moscow had regretted the situation and had hoped that diplomacy could avert a military conflict. The prime minister had further stated that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and developing countries were always hit the hardest economically.

Mr Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s strong emphasis on de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. He highly appreciated the Polish side for receiving Pakistani students and community being evacuated from Ukraine. He added that Pakistan looked forward to continued assistance by the Polish Government during this difficult period.

The Polish Foreign Minister assured of Poland’s full support and facilitation in the evacuation process. So far, 606 Pakistani including students have been safely evacuated to Poland from Ukraine.