Qureshi phones Afghan acting foreign minister

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Monday called acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Hanif Atmar.

The Foreign Minister congratulated Hanif Atmar on his recent appointment and expressed the hope that during his tenure, there would be enhanced interaction between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

Prospects of enhancing bilateral relations in all areas were discussed, a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here said. The foreign minister highlighted that as a neighbour with abiding solidarity, Pakistan values its fraternal relations with Afghanistan.

In view of COVID-19, Pakistan has taken a number of steps, at the request of the government of Afghanistan, to assist in movement of Afghan nationals and cargo trucks and containers. The foreign minister expressed the hope that Afghanistan would be able to control spread of COVID-19 effectively.

He further reiterated the importance of existing bilateral mechanisms and hoped that the next session of APAPPS (Afghanistan, Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability) would be held soon which would help further strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields. The two foreign ministers also discussed latest situation in Afghan peace process.

Foreign Minister Qureshi reiterated Pakistan s steadfast support to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process and said that the US -Taliban Peace Agreement provides a historic opportunity for the Afghan leadership to jointly work for the ultimate aim of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

The Afghan Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs thanked Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on his message of felicitations. He concurred with the foreign minister on utilising existing mechanisms, including APAPPS, to take forward bilateral relations.

He also appreciated steps taken by Pakistan to facilitate return of Afghan nationals and movement of cargo and trucks, in view of COVID-19. The two sides also discussed further steps to deepen the bilateral economic relationship.

Pakistan will continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbours.