Dutch FM Sigrid Kaag to arrive in Islamabad today

The Netherlands Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag will arrive in Islamabad today to discuss the situation in Afghanistan with her Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

“The two foreign ministers will exchange views on the evolving situation in Afghanistan. The talks will also cover bilateral matters,” said the Foreign Office in a statement on Wednesday. It added that the Dutch diplomat’s visit will add to the current momentum of high-level exchanges and help further strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The FO said that the visit comes in the backdrop of the recent developments in Afghanistan and the close contact between Islamabad and The Hague.

It also shared that the visit comes after Foreign Minister Qureshi and her Dutch counterpart held a telephonic conversation on August 21 after Prime Minister Imran Khan and discussed Afghanistan with  Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on August 18.

“Pakistan has extended full facilitation to Netherlands in its efforts for evacuation of diplomatic and other personnel from Afghanistan,” read the FO statement. It added that Pakistan and Holland enjoy “close and cordial relations”.

The statement also said that Netherlands is one of the largest trading partners of Pakistan in the European Union.