Pakistan and the United Kingdom agree to institute a Structured Bilateral Dialogue Mechanism between the two Foreign Ministries
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, during his official visit to the United Kingdom, held delegation-level talks with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in London today.
The two sides reviewed the full spectrum of Pakistan-United Kingdom bilateral relations and agreed to establish a structured mechanism for formal talks between the two Foreign Ministries to cover all areas of cooperation, further strengthen bilateral cooperation, and regularly review progress in key areas. They underscored the importance of sustained high-level engagement and closer coordination on matters of mutual interest.
The two Ministers exchanged views on key regional and international developments, including the evolving situation in the Middle East. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister shared Pakistan’s diplomatic and mediation efforts in the region and the progress achieved through these engagements. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role and facilitation efforts in promoting dialogue, diplomacy and stability in the Middle East.
Discussions also centered on developments concerning the Indus Waters Treaty and the security situation in the region. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister highlighted India’s persistent violations of its international obligations and stressed the importance of upholding international law and treaty commitments. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister expressed serious concern on the terrorist threats emanating from Afghan soil, and the threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan to Pakistan’s peace and security.
Both sides underscored the importance of sustained engagement in advancing peace, stability and cooperation in the region and beyond.
The two Ministers recognised the important role of the Pakistani diaspora in further strengthening the longstanding ties and people-to-people links between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
