Foreign Minster Shah Mahmood Qureshi discussed bilateral relations and cooperation with Iraqi leadership on his three-day visit to Iraq.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with Iraqi President Dr Barham Salih in Baghdad on Saturday (today).
During the meeting FM Qureshi extended his best wishes to President Salih from Pakistan’s leadership and affirmed Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq.
The foreign minister recognized the unyielding efforts and sacrifices of Iraq, and its people, in the fight against terrorism, the Foreign Minister wished peace, progress and prosperity for the brotherly people of Iraq.
FM Qureshi also briefed the President on Pakistan’s transformed vision centered around economic security, shifting focus from geo-politics to geo-economics and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to offer itself as an economic hub through peace, development partnerships and connectivity.
🇵🇰 FM @SMQureshiPTI called on 🇮🇶 Prez @BarhamSalih & conveying warm wishes from 🇵🇰s leadership, affirmed🇵🇰 support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of 🇮🇶. Acknowledging unyielding efforts/sacrifices of 🇮🇶 fight against terrorism, FM wished☮️, progress & prosperity for🇮🇶. pic.twitter.com/mjrV7l7DOB
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 29, 2021
Stressing upon Pakistan’s long-standing and friendly ties with Iraq, Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s desire to further enhance existing bilateral ties in all spheres of cooperation. He also offered Pakistan’s support and cooperation for Iraq’s efforts toward rebuilding and strengthening the country.
Meanwhile, President Salih warmly welcomed the Foreign Minister and reciprocated the feelings expressed on behalf of Pakistan’s leadership. He thanked the Foreign Minister for Pakistan’s understanding and support.
🇵🇰 FM @SMQureshiPTI and 🇮🇶 Prez @BarhamSalih discussed regional & global issues of mutual interest. 🇵🇰 FM also highlighted 🇵🇰 efforts to promote solidarity among Muslim ☪️ Ummah.
🇵🇰🇮🇶#PakFMinIraq pic.twitter.com/tKEzesJlGR— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 29, 2021
Furthermore, in a separate meeting FM Qureshi also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and paid homage to the resilience of the Iraqi people in facing serious challenges to peace and security. Paying tribute to the sacrifices rendered by Iraqi people in the fight against terrorism.
With able leadership, unyielding efforts and sincere friends, Iraq will overcome any challenge to emerge stronger and more prosperous in future, said FM Qureshi.
Expressing his views on the bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Iraq, Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressed Pakistan’s desire to meet its energy requirements with oil from Iraq and identified areas, such as tourism, manpower export, infrastructure development, investment and food security, in which the two countries could significantly benefit from enhanced cooperation.
Pakistan has always stood by the people of #Iraq in times of distress and earlier this year, three C130 flights with #COVID19 related assistance were sent to Iraq.
🇵🇰 🤝 🇮🇶 https://t.co/UgqJyZcUGF— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 29, 2021
The two also mulled agreed upon the need to further strengthen people to people linkages, in particular facilitating thousands of Pakistani Zaireen who visit Iraq every year.
FM Qureshi also apprised Iraqi PM of the deteriorating situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and stressed the need to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
It is to be noted that FM Shah Mahmood Qureshi is on a three-day bilateral visit to Iraq, at the invitation of his Iraqi counterpart. During the visit, he will hold extensive discussions with important dignitaries in Iraq, on bilateral cooperation and important regional and global issues.
