Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to strengthen economic ties

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to strengthen economic ties

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia agree to strengthen economic ties
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday agreed to strengthen their relationship, particularly in the economic domain, including cooperation in trade, investment and technology.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan in a joint presser held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, vowed to continue extending support to each other on the issues of regional and international importance.

Prince Farhan, who arrived in Islamabad this morning, earlier led the delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Qureshi that encompassed diverse gamut of matters.

“We hope to build on the momentum of strong bonds based on our brotherhood, as the two countries have always stood by each other in difficult times,” the Saudi foreign minister said.

He termed the delegation-level talks ‘very, very fruitful discussions’ held on bilateral matters with a special focus on economic ties.

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The Saudi foreign minister said his government would encourage businessmen from both sides to explore opportunities of investment in areas of technology.

Speaking about climate change, Prince Faisal expressed the Saudi commitment to continue working with Pakistan as the country pursued the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan of achieving goals of preservation of the environment.

He also assured extending facilitation to the Pakistani travelers, especially in areas of visa restrictions related to the Covid-19 vaccination.

Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan appreciated the contributions of Pakistani community towards the development of Saudi Arabia.

“We are working to lighten the travel restrictions for passengers from Pakistan and also making sure that the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia gets vaccinated,” he said.

“Pakistan has done exceptionally well in overcoming the coronavirus,” the Saudi FM commented.

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The Saudi FM underscored that security was the key factor in ensuring economic prosperity and vowed to facilitate the efforts for peace, whether in Kashmir, Palestine or Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, calling the Saudi FM ‘my friend and my brother’, said at the bilateral front Pakistan was “comfortable how things were moving”.

He said the talks between the delegations focused on ways to improve economic linkages through bilateral trade and investments.

Speaking about yesterday’s senior officials-level talks, held on deciding the structure of the Saudi-Pak Supreme Coordination Council for its activation, Qureshi said that focal persons from both foreign ministries have been appointed to materialize a structured and institutionalised way of looking at our bilateral relations.

He thanked the government of Saudi Arabia for always supporting the stance of Pakistan on Jammu and Kashmir.

On Afghanistan, he said, both sides shared the same objectives of ensuring peace and stability.

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He said easing up of travel restrictions amid the coronavirus situation also came under discussion, where the Saudi side agreed to extend facilitation.

“Pakistani workforce can contribute positively towards the implementation of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 of development,” he added.

Qureshi also mentioned that the two sides agreed to strengthen cultural linkages and cooperation in fighting against climate change.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Qureshi said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed commonalities in their relationship based on religion, culture and history.

“The two countries have stood by each other in difficult times,” Qureshi said adding that Pakistan was committed to the security and solidarity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He lauded the active role played by Saudi Arabia for peace in the region, particularly reducing tension in the Gulf.

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He expressed gratitude to the government of Saudi Arabia for supporting Pakistan’s stance on India’s illegal act of revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Saudi foreign minister will also call on other dignitaries, Foreign Office said in a statement prior to the visit.

The statement further said that the visit will provide a timely opportunity to review progress in bilateral cooperation in line with the vision of the leadership of the two countries.

“Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have long-standing and historic fraternal relations, rooted deep in common faith, shared history, and mutual support,” it stated adding that the relationship is marked by close cooperation in all fields and mutual collaboration on regional and international issues.

The FO maintained that Saudi Arabia was a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and had steadfastly supported the Kashmir cause.

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Frequent high-level visits were a key feature of the relationship that serve to further deepen and broaden the relationship in myriad dimensions

“The visit of the Saudi foreign minister will reinforce the positive momentum in high-level exchanges and the deepening of bilateral cooperation in diverse fields,” the statement added.

 

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