-German FM discusses Afghan situation, mutual interests, regional peace with PM
-Pakistan urges int’l cooperation for ensuring stability in Afghanistan
-Qureshi reminds world that Pakistan is already hosting 3 million refugees
-Says Pakistan has provided every facility to Afghan refugees
-Islamabad to open consulate general in Munich
-German FM says Berlin wishes to see an inclusive, broad-based govt in Afghanistan
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who is in Islamabad on a two-day official visit, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.
Both exchanged views on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan-Germany bilateral relations, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Khan recalled his conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in which the two leaders had fruitful exchange of views on the Afghanistan situation. He underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was vitally important for Pakistan and the region. At this pivotal moment in Afghanistan’s history, it was important for the international community to remain in support and solidarity with the Afghans, he stressed.
The PM underlined that urgent steps were needed to stabilise the security situation, address humanitarian needs, and ensure economic stability in Afghanistan. These would require sustained engagement with Afghanistan, he added.
He further underscored that both Pakistan and Germany should work closely for the promotion of shared interests relating to regional peace and stability.
The German FM conveyed cordial greetings of Chancellor Merkel. While sharing Germany’s viewpoint on the situation in Afghanistan, he thanked for Pakistan’s support and facilitation in Germany’s evacuation endeavours from Afghanistan.
He also highlighted the celebration of 70th anniversary of establishment of Pakistan-Germany diplomatic relations during 2021. The two countries are holding a series of events to celebrate this milestone in a befitting manner.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi stressed on Tuesday the need for the international community’s cooperation for ensuring stability in Afghanistan, as he addressed a joint press conference with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, in Islamabad.
Qureshi said he had invited the German foreign minister to Pakistan, where he would be better able to assess the situation.
“It will give you a very good holistic view of what the challenges are, what the concerns are, what the opportunities are and what needs to be done in the days ahead,” he said, adding that the German foreign minister would also realise during his visit the importance of staying engaged in Afghanistan.
“This is a pivotal moment in Afghanistan’s history. The international community must remain engaged. Humanitarian assistance must flow. Do not let the economic collapse in Afghanistan take place,” he said.
The foreign minister expressed the hope that Germany would make the right decisions in this regard.
Qureshi later said in a tweet that Pakistan continued to support a “politically inclusive, sovereign & prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself & neighbours”.
He reiterated that it was important for the international community to remain “closely engaged” in Afghanistan for the safety and security of its citizens and the protection of their rights.
On bilateral relations with Germany, Qureshi said at the press conference that Germany had been an important investor in Pakistan and one of the largest trading partners in the European Union (EU).
Qureshi added that there were possibilities of enhancing trade with Germany further and there were many areas where the two countries could develop economic linkages.
“There are opportunities that Germany must avail in special economic zones.”
The foreign minister said expeditious German visas for Pakistanis would also be of significant help.
He later tweeted that Pakistan would soon inaugurate a consulate in Munich and was working to establish an Iqbal-Goethe Centre in Heidelberg.
“Bilaterally, we deeply value our longstanding relations with Germany, now in our 70th year of friendship,” he further said.
Maas, who arrived in Islamabad for a two-day visit to discuss the unfolding situation in Afghanistan, said that while the Taliban had made commitments and pledges to form an inclusive government, it remained to be seen whether their promises were “reliable” in the coming days.
“It is important for us that all Afghans, even those who do not support the Taliban, feel represented by this government and it remains to be seen whether the Taliban take this into account.”
He added that Germany was preparing in close coordination with others to organise charter flights after the Kabul airport became operable again.
“We are already seeing that people are travelling via land routes to the borders of Afghanistan, and we need procedures to bring these people to Germany if they are eligible,” he said, adding that he had discussed the subject with Pakistani officials during the trip.
The foreign minister said he would be travelling to Doha and Qatar for the same purpose.
He thanked Pakistan for helping with evacuation from Kabul, adding that Germany stood prepared to support Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries that would not abandon it in this time of crisis.
Maas said Germany was coordinating with Pakistan for the evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan and will continue to do so in the future.
According to Qureshi, Pakistan has facilitated the evacuation of over 10,000 people belonging to international organisations so far.
Sharing this information in a tweet, he added that “Pakistan has been extending all possible support to governments, EU and int’l orgs engaged in evacuation of their personnel from Afghanistan.”
Earlier, the Associated Press of Pakistan shared a video of the German foreign minister on Twitter, stating that he was received by Qureshi at the Foreign Office (FO), where he (Maas) also planted a sapling.
Prior to that, a statement issued by the FO on Monday said Maas and Qureshi would hold official talks on the latest developments in Afghanistan.
“Foreign Minister Qureshi will share Pakistan’s perspective on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and discuss ways of addressing its various dimensions,” the statement said.
It added that the two ministers were also expected to discuss matters of bilateral cooperation in political, economic and trade, security, defence, cultural and academic spheres.
The German foreign minister’s visit aimed at discussing the unfolding situation in Afghanistan coincides with the completion of the US pullout from the war-torn country after 20 years.
