Pakistani foreign minister meets Palestinian, Iraqi counterparts at Antalya Diplomacy Forum

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (R) holding a t-shirt with Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Riyad Al-Maliki in Turkey on June 18, 2021. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan's Foreign Office)

• The Forum, attended by top political leaders, diplomats, opinion makers and academics, is being held from June 18-20
• Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for Palestinian cause, underscored importance of two-state solution

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met his Palestinian and Iraqi counterparts on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey on Thursday, the Pakistani foreign office said on Friday.
The Forum, attended by top political leaders, diplomats, opinion makers and academics, is being held from June 18-20 in an Antalya resort on the coast of the Mediterranean.
During the meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Riyad Al-Maliki, “Qureshi reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and underscored the importance of two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders under the relevant UNSC [United Nations Security Counsil] resolutions for sustainable peace in the region.”
The Israeli military said this week it had launched aircraft attacks in the Gaza Strip - the first since an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire ended 11 days of cross-border fighting last month.
In his meeting with the Palestinian leader, Qureshi also expressed strong concerns on the recent Israeli strikes against Gaza.
Maliki briefed Foreign Minister Qureshi on the latest situation in Palestine, conveying “deep appreciation on behalf of the Palestinian President and people of Palestine to the Foreign Minister for proactively taking up the case of Palestine at the UN General Assembly during the recent Israeli aggression against Gaza.”
Both foreign ministers discussed rising Islamophobia and agreed on the need to evolve a joint strategy to counter discrimination against all religious faiths.
Qureshi also extended an invitation to Maliki to visit Pakistan.
“Foreign Minister Maliki accepted the invitation and responded that he looked forward to visiting Pakistan in the near future,” the foreign office said.
Qureshi also met Iraqi Foreign Minister Dr. Fuad Hussein on the sidelines of the Forum on June 17.
“Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted the importance of liberalizing the visa regime for facilitating Pakistani Zaireen [pilgrims] visiting the religious sites in Iraq,” the foreign office said. “Both Foreign Ministers also exchanged best practices in promoting religious tourism.”