ISLAMABAD: 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 communitybeing 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. The two Ministers agreed to remain in close contact.
De-escalation of conflict
On Sunday, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a telephonic conversation with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and discussed the situation for the first time since Russia invaded its neighbour.
According to a statement, the foreign minister shared “Pakistan’s perspective in detail, reiterating serious concern at the situation, underscoring the importance of de-escalation, and stressing the indispensability of diplomacy.”
The foreign minister noted that Prime Minister Imran Khan in his recent visit to Moscow regretted the latest situation between Russia and Ukraine and said that Pakistan had hoped diplomacy could avert a military conflict.
He stressed that conflict was not in anyone’s interest, and that the developing countries were always hit the hardest economically, in case of conflict. The Foreign Minister underlined Pakistan’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
Foreign Minister Qureshi also took up the important matter of evacuation of Pakistani community and students in Ukraine and their safe return to Pakistan. He appreciated the role played by the Ukrainian authorities in the evacuation process and asked for continued facilitation and smooth border crossing at the earliest possible.
