—— Islamabad says trio parties agree to institutionalise trilateral consultations on counter terrorism and security
—— In a statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry says holding alike meetings on regular basis agreed upon
—— Resumption of Saudi Arabia-Iran diplomatic relations with China’s mediation was Globally hailed as sincere efforts for regional peace and stability
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, China and Iran on Wednesday decided to “institutionalise the trilateral consultations on counter-terrorism and security” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said.
The decision was taken during the first meeting of the Pakistan-China-Iran Trilateral Consultation on counter-terrorism and security meeting held today at the Chinese capital Beijing, the communique added.
The Pakistani side was represented by Director General (Counter-Terrorism) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Abdul Hameed, the Chinese side was led by Director General of the Department of External Security Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry Bai Tian, and the Irani side was led by Assistant to the Foreign Minister and Director General of South Asia at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seyed Rasoul Mosavi.
The spokesperson stated that the three sides held “detailed discussions on the regional security situation, particularly the threat of terrorism faced by the region”.
DG Hameed, and DG Mosavi also called on Assistant Foreign Minister of China Nong Rong said the statement.
Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released the same statement saying China, Pakistan and Iran held their first trilateral meeting on counter-terrorism in Beijing on Wednesday.
The three countries had “in-depth” exchanges on the regional counter-terrorism situation, and decided to hold the meeting on a regular basis, the ministry said.
China has been actively involved in multifaceted efforts to bring peace in the region that resulted in resumption of Iran-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations that remained suspended for over seven years after the execution of Nimr al-Nimr and the 2016 attack on the Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. However, in March 2023, after discussions brokered by China, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reestablish relations.
Wednesday, Iran has officially reopened its Consulate General and the Permanent Representative office to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah. According to Al Mayadeen, Iran’s consulate and representative office in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, officially started their operation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Iran’s embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital city of Riyadh was reopened after seven years. Alireza Bikdeli the Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary, and Iranian Expatriates Affairs and Hassan Zarnegar, the caretaker of the mission participated in Tuesday’s ceremony.
