Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Pakistan is Strategic Partner of Qatar, We Have Common Vision for Stability of Afghanistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs: Pakistan is Strategic Partner of Qatar, We Have Common Vision for Stability of Afghanistan

Islamabad / Information Office / September 09

HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani underlined the strength of bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, pointing out that the two countries have a common vision for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan as soon as possible.

In a press conference with HE Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad on Thursday, HE the Foreign Minister said that Pakistan is a strategic partner of the State of Qatar and that the partnership goes beyond politics to include defense, economy and trade, expressing hope for strengthening bilateral cooperation in all fields to achieve the aspirations of the leadership of the two brotherly countries.

Also, HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan for the good reception and the hospitality from the government and people of Pakistan.

His Excellency expressed his thanks to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for supporting the Qatari mediation efforts in Afghanistan, adding that Pakistan played a major role before and after the recent developments in Afghanistan, stressing that Qatar and Pakistan have a common vision for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan as soon as possible.

HE the Foreign Minister stressed that the Afghan people deserve to be provided with humanitarian aid and assistance in light of the current conditions, pointing out that providing humanitarian aid in Afghanistan must be independent and separate from any political calculations.

His Excellency said that he briefed the Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs on the developments in the progress of work at Kabul International Airport and thanked the Taliban for fulfilling promises on the ground. He encouraged the Taliban to be more comprehensive and bring Afghans together under one national umbrella.

Also, he expressed the thanks and support of the State of Qatar to the neighboring countries of Afghanistan, expressing hope for the continuation of joint cooperation to achieve peace in Afghanistan.

HE Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs underscored the close cooperation between his country and the State of Qatar in global and regional forums, pointing out that there is continuous cooperation and consultation between the two countries on developments in the situation in Afghanistan and its new reality, stressing the importance of exchanging consultations on an ongoing basis. Also, he praised Qatar's role in regional peace processes, especially in Afghanistan.

He said that the two countries have a unified vision that seeks to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for the Afghan people, adding that both countries are partners to achieve peace in Afghanistan.

Furthermore, he praised the efforts of the State of Qatar and the personal role of HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, who showed patience and perseverance in advancing the peace process in Afghanistan.

Qureshi pointed out that he briefed HE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs on the results of the discussions of the regional countries' meetings and their concerns about the situation in Afghanistan, stressing the need for a coordinated consultative approach and the need for collective action.

He said that the common goal in Afghanistan focuses on protecting the rights and gains of the Afghan people and ensuring their safety and security, adding that the current challenge is to avoid any humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

On bilateral relations, the Pakistani Foreign Minister affirmed the agreement to expand the bilateral cooperation to include the fields of trade, investment and defense, and the need to enhance the use of the effective bilateral mechanisms that are now in place.