ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi received his German counterpart Heiko Maas here on Thursday and thanked Germany for its efforts to ensure earliest possible provision of Covid-19 vaccines through the Covax initiative.

In a meeting held during the brief visit of the German foreign minister, Foreign Minister Qureshi recalled his own recent visit to Berlin and expressed gratitude for the warm welcome accorded to him and appreciated the fruitful outcome of the trip.

He underlined the importance of regular high-level exchanges between Pakistan and Germany and expressed satisfaction over the upward trajectory in the relationship.

The two foreign ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ambassador briefs minister on upcoming visit of Hungarian FM

Foreign Minister Qureshi underscored the importance of enhancing mutual cooperation and collaboration to combat the pandemic in a holistic manner.

He apprised his German counterpart of Pakistan’s efforts for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and positive contributions to the Afghan peace process.

Mr Qureshi underscored the importance of responsible withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and steady progress made by the Afghan parties towards a negotiated political settlement.

He said that all efforts must be made for reduction in violence leading to a ceasefire in the war-torn country.

Hungary’s ambassador

Ambassador of Hungary to Pakistan Bla Fazekas also called on Foreign Minister Qureshi and briefed the latter on the forthcoming visit of the Hungarian foreign minister to Pakistan.

On the invitation of Foreign Minis­ter Qureshi, Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto will arrive here on Friday on his maiden official visit along with a high-level delegation comprising over 20 leading businessmen.

During the meeting, the ambassador and the foreign minister also exchanged views on promotion of economic and trade, and cultural and academic ties between the two countries.

The ambassador briefed Mr Qureshi on the unique culture of the people of Hungary and his country’s historical ties with Central Asia.

The foreign minister said he was looking forward to welcoming Foreign Minister Szijjarto in Pakistan and hoped that the visit would help improve the existing cordial ties and growing cooperation between the two countries.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2021