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PR. No. 354/2009
Date: 23/09/2009
FOREIGN MINISTER HOLD BILATERAL MEETINGS IN NEW YORK
Meeting with Tajik Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Mr. Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan at UN on 22 September 2009.
The two ministers exchanged views on the whole gambit of Pakistan-Tajikistan bilateral relations. They expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation in various fields. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that early finalization of a Free Trade Agreement would give a boost to bilateral trade relations. He said that there was need to improve connectivity between the two countries.
The Tajik Foreign Minister said that an early convening of the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting would give further boost to bilateral economic cooperation. He informed the Foreign Minister that Tajikistan had already started work on a major hydroelectric project keeping in view prospects of energy export to Pakistan .
The two sides exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan . They agreed that return of peace and stability in Afghanistan would help in augmenting trade and cooperation among all regional countries.
The two Foreign Ministers also agreed to enhance closer cooperation between the delegations of the two sides at multilateral fora.
Meeting with Italian parliamentary delegation
An Italian Parliamentary delegation led by Senator Lamberto Dini, President of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee called on Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the sidelines of UN General Assembly.
The two sides exchanged views on the whole ambit of bilateral relations. The Foreign Minister appreciated the support extended by Italy for greater access for Pakistani exports to the European Union. He also expressed gratitude for the Italian support to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) process.
The Italian delegation expressed deep interest in Pakistan 's economic and social development. They said that Italian entrepreneurs were evaluating prospects for investments in Pakistan . The delegation cited the Italian help in establishing a Science and Technology University in Karachi . They suggested that Parliamentarians too should be associated with the FODP process. The Foreign Minister appreciated the suggestion.
The Foreign Minister briefed the Italian delegation about the situation in Afghanistan . He also briefed them on the current status of Pakistan-India relations.
Both sides reiterated their determination to eradicate terrorism. The Italian delegation lauded Pakistan 's successes against terrorism in the Swat Valley .
Foreign Minister meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a bilateral meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit at the UN on 22 September 2009. Both leaders discussed the current status of bilateral cooperation in all fields.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction at the pace of Egyptian investments in Pakistan . He said that early convening of a Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) would help in expanding economic cooperation between the two countries. The Foreign Minister suggested that match-making exercise between the private sectors of both the countries should be facilitated.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister invited the Foreign Minister to visit Egypt at his earliest convenience. The Foreign Minister accepted the invitation and hoped that he would be able to undertake the visit in near future.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan . The Foreign Minister briefed his Egyptian counterpart on the current status of Pakistan-India relations.
Foreign Minister Qureshi meets the Foreign Minister of Austria
Foreign Minister Qureshi held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Michael Spindelegger, Foreign Minister of Austria on the sidelines of the UNGA.
The Foreign Minister thanked his Austria counterpart for the humanitarian assistance extended to earthquake affectees during 2005. He also referred to the economic assistance and debt rescheduling by the Austrian side.
The Foreign Minister underscored the potential for bilateral cooperation in diverse fields including education, and Science and Technology. He said the bilateral trade between the two countries is on an upward curve but it was much below it potential.
The two Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on cooperation in multilateral for particularly in the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva .
Islamabad
23 September 2009
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