Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held wide-ranging talks with Foreign Minister of Spain Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, today. During the talks, views were exchanged on the latest developments in Afghanistan. Bilateral relations including cooperation in international fora were part of the parleys. Foreign Minister Qureshi stated that Pakistan as an immediate neighbor of Afghanistan had paid immense price because of prolonged conflict and instability next door. As such, peace and stability in Afghanistan were in the best interest of Pakistan. The Foreign Minister hoped that the new dispensation in Afghanistan will undertake concerted efforts for peace and security and work towards taking care of humanitarian and development needs of the Afghan people. Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored that the international community must remain engaged and that the people of Afghanistan should not be abandoned. There was a need to urgently provide assistance to ward off a humanitarian crisis and to take steps to ensure economic stability. In this regard, releasing Afghanistan’s financial assets was also a necessary measure. The Foreign Minister apprised the visiting Foreign Minister of his regional outreach on different aspects of the evolving situation in Afghanistan, which presented challenges as well as opportunities. The Foreign Minister also apprised his Spanish counterpart regarding Pakistan’s facilitation of evacuation over of 12,000 people belonging to 30 countries and international organizations. Foreign Minister Albares appreciated Pakistan’s role in facilitation of international evacuation endeavors. The Spanish Foreign Minister agreed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was key to regional peace, stability and prosperity. He lauded Pakistan’s efforts in promoting these objectives. In the bilateral context, the two Foreign Ministers discussed the entire gamut of Pakistan-Spain relations including cooperation in political, economic, trade, energy and defence sectors. They agreed on enhancing relations in all fields and stressed the importance of regular high-level exchanges. Foreign Minister Albares also appreciated the positive contributions of Pakistani community in Spain. This year marks the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The milestone would be commemorated in a befitting manner through a series of events. Foreign Minister Albares invited the Foreign Minister to undertake a visit to Spain.
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