RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in Islamabad on an official visit that Pakistan said provided a ‘timely opportunity’ to deepen bilateral cooperation.
Following a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the two foreign minsters held a joint press conference, where Prince Faisal said he held very fruitful talks on both countries’ common desire to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the fields of economy, investment and technology, and to encourage businessmen from both sides to explore investment opportunities in these fields.
The Saudi foreign minister referred to the visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to the Kingdom in May, where he meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and agreed to establish the Saudi-Pakistani Supreme Coordination Council, which aims to advance bilateral relations to broader horizons of comprehensive cooperation and prosperity on an institutional basis.
On climate change, Prince Faisal affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment and aspiration to continue working with Pakistan in achieving environmental conservation goals, and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries, within the framework of the Saudi and Middle East green initiatives.
The crown prince launched the two initiative in March that include a number of ambitious programs that will reduce carbon emissions by 60 percent in the region and plant 50 billion trees in the world’s biggest afforestation project.
The initiatives align with Khan’s Clean Green Pakistan initiative, which was announced in 2018.
Senior high-level delegations held talks on relations, in run-up to visit of HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan. Key focus was on Saudi-Pak Supreme Coordination Council,highest level platform to provide strategic direction to bilateral ties. Saudi side was led by Amb Eid Al-Thaqafi. pic.twitter.com/AWZVYAOeip
— Spokesperson MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) July 26, 2021
Qureshi said that they also discussed "the plight of innocent Kashmiris subjected to state sponsored terrorism in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir," adding that he stressed the importance of urgent action to address the situation and to peacefully resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
Qureshi added that the two sides exchanged views on the security situation in Afghanistan, and emphasized responsibility of the international community to ensure peace, as well as the security situation in the Middle East.
He also said they held talks on flight and visa restrictions and called on the foreign minister help ease restrictions for Pakistanis, especially expatriate workers who are stranded in Pakistan due to the pandemic, and cannot return to Saudi Arabia.
We also discussed pressing issue of flight and visa restrictions & I requested the FM for his personal patronage in easing these restrictions for Pakistanis, especially our expatriate workers who are stranded in Pakistan due to the pandemic, and cannot return to Saudi Arabia. https://t.co/LcA8KSFF0x
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) July 27, 2021
It was Prince Faisal’s second state visit to Pakistan in a year, following an invitation from Qureshi. He was last in Islamabad in December 2020.
The visit by the Saudi foreign minister “holds significance” in the backdrop of Khan and Qureshi’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom’s foreign office said on Twitter, adding: “It will provide a timely opportunity to review progress in bilateral cooperation, in line with vision of the leadership of the two countries.”
It added in a separate statement that the visit will “further strengthen the ongoing positive momentum in high-level contacts and deepen bilateral cooperation in various fields.”
This visit reflects resolve of our two countries to deepen & expand bilateral relations and to this end, we discussed greater economic, energy and defence cooperation, trade & investment opps through CPEC and greater potential for contribution to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. https://t.co/W4SOBynG1G
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) July 27, 2021
The two foreign minister also held delegation level talks between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, important regional and global issues. The Saudi foreign minister also met separately with President Arif Alvi and Khan, as well as other senior government officials during his visit.
Prior to his arrival, senior delegation-level talks were held in Pakistan between officials of the two nations.
“Key focus was on Saudi-Pakistani Supreme Coordination Council, highest level platform to provide strategic direction to bilateral ties,” the foreign office said.
