DM Monitoring
NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New York on Monday and discussed matters of mutual interest and bilateral ties.
During the meeting that took place on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, the two sides had a comprehensive exchange of views on the entire spectrum of bilateral partnership and multilateral cooperation, including at the United Nations. This was their fourth meeting since the Foreign Minister assumed of-fice in April 2022.
The Foreign Minister conveyed profound gratitude to the Chinese leadership, government and people for China’s prompt support and robust assistance to Pakistan in the wake of catastrophic floods, which was a true reflection of the time-tested ‘All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership’ between Pakistan and China.
Recalling the summit meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President Xi Jinping in Sa-markand on September 15, 2022, the two ministers reaffirmed full commitment to further deepening of strategic cooperation, extending strong support for each other’s core interests and major concerns, enhancing economic en-gagement, accelerating high-quality development of CPEC, and strengthening bilateral security cooperation.
The Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s close convergence with China on multilateral issues premised on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism, free trade, and development. He appreciated China’s contributions for global socio-economic development through open and inclusive initiatives like Belt and Road Ini-tiative (BRI) and Global Development Initiative (GDI). Bhutto agreed to remain in close contact with State Counci-lor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Separately, Pakistan and Norway have agreed to continue joint efforts to further strengthen and diversify coopera-tion particularly in trade, investment, development and other areas.
The understanding came at a meeting between Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt in New York.
They underlined the importance of early conclusion of Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and European Free Trade Association.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hoped that more Norwegian companies would benefit from Pakistan’s attractive invest-ment policy. He underlined the importance of enhancing legal migration opportunities for Pakistanis.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also underscored the need for peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in ac-cordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions.
Foreign Minister Bilawal also met US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West and stressed that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is a priority for Pakistan.
FM emphasized the significance of continuing international engagement with the interim Afghan government for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and beyond.
The US Special Representative appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan and in facilita-tion of evacuations.
The two sides acknowledged the need for continued cooperation on the shared objectives of sustained efforts and engagement of the international community to alleviate sufferings of the Afghan people and promote regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile, Bilawal also met Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai in New York. Taking to Twitter, Bilawal Bhutto said, “Met @Malala at UN General Assembly. Exchanged views on women rights and girls education. Discussed #PakistanFloods and challenges posed by this climate catastrophe to education for millions of young children af-fected, with thousands of schools destroyed and difficult days ahead.
