Wang Yi reiterates appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive role during meeting with Dar

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday welcomed Pakistan’s continued efforts to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy, amid the ongoing Iran-US talks, reiterating his appreciation for its constructive role during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting took place in New York, where the two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments and Pakistan’s efforts to promote lasting peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy in the region and beyond.

“Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated his appreciation and support for Pakistan’s constructive role,” the statement said.

Both sides also recalled the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation to China, as well as the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, highlighting the long-standing friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

FM Dar is scheduled to travel to Washington on Sunday for an official visit, where he is expected to meet with US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

Dar, Turkmenistan Foreign Ministers agree to strengthen cooperation

Separately, Dar also met with Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on the sidelines of the Group of Friends meeting at the United Nations headquarters in New York, where both sides reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in multiple sectors.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers took stock of the positive trajectory of relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan and reiterated the deep-rooted and friendly ties between the two countries.

Dar highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, transport and regional connectivity, including Pakistan’s keenness to export high-quality meat and agricultural products to Turkmenistan.

“Both sides also emphasized strengthening regional transit and connectivity through rail, road, air and maritime links to facilitate trade, commercial activity and people-to-people exchanges,” the statement added.

The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation in multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

The Deputy Prime Minister visited New York at the invitation of FM Yi to attend the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) open debate on “Maintaining international peace and security: upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and strengthening the UN-centered international system.”

Read: FM Dar to visit US Secretary Rubio in Washington after UN Security Council engagements in New York

The debate was held on May 26 under China’s presidency of the Security Council, which called for restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, warning that another protracted conflict would endanger regional peace and further strain the fragile international order.

Addressing the open debate, he said the principle of peaceful settlement must apply equally to all long-standing disputes on the Security Council’s agenda, referring to ongoing efforts to reach a resolution to the conflict between Iran and the United States.

“The whole world is watching us. We must succeed in the interest of regional and global peace and security,” Dar told the 15-member Security Council. “As a friendly neighbor of Iran and the brotherly Gulf countries, Pakistan always advocates restraint, de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. »

Dar said that during his recent visit to Beijing, Pakistan and China announced a five-point initiative for peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, warning that another conflict would pose a serious threat not only to the region but to the world as a whole.

“Another prolonged conflict would serve no one,” warned the Minister of Foreign Affairs. “It would endanger regional peace, disrupt global energy flows, worsen humanitarian suffering and strain an already fragile international order. »