ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Minister shared Pakistan’s perspective on the stalling of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and its implications for food inflation worldwide with UN Secretary General, Russian,US, Turkiye Counterparts EU High Representative. Lauding the positive role played by the UN Secretary-General in the finalization of the BSGI agreement last year, the Foreign Minister requested Secretary-General Guterres to continue his valuable engagement for reviving the Initiative through a constructive dialogue that addresses the concerns of all parties.
Condemning the recurring incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Europe, the Foreign Minister appreciated the UN Secretary General’s advocacy for inter-religious harmony and peaceful co-existence. He called for collective action at the UN level by formulating a comprehensive strategy and Action Plan to tackle the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia.
The Foreign Minister and the UN Secretary-General also discussed Pakistan’s ongoing cooperation with the United Nations in the wake of last year’s devastating floods. The Foreign Minister also apprised the Secretary-General of the recent project launched in Sindh to provide land titles to women beneficiaries affected by floods.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had an active agenda over the last several days. He held important telephone conversations with a number of his counterparts and leaders of international organizations and institutions. These include: Foreign Minister of Iran, Dr. Hossien Amir Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, Organization of Islamic Cooperation Secretary General, Hissein Brahmin Taha, and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
In these conversations, bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest were discussed. The main purpose of these calls was to discuss two key issues of concern to Pakistan: the alarming rise of Islamophobia and religious hatred directed against Muslims, and discussions pertaining to the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI).
Black Sea Grain Initiative was discussed between the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Ukraine last week. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had expressed a willingness to engage with relevant parties to promote dialogue and consultation for the revival of the Initiative.
Foreign Minister discussed BSGI in the telephone conversations with the Foreign Minister of Turkiye and Russia, the US Secretary of State and the EU High Representative, and the UN Secretary General.
He shared with them Pakistan’s concerns pertaining to food security and inflation resulting from BSGI’s expiry. He underscored the need for concerted efforts to revive the deal, taking into account the concerns of the relevant parties on the basis of mutual accommodation. Foreign Minister also shared Pakistan’s readiness to contribute to collective efforts in that regard.
ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Minister shared Pakistan’s perspective on the stalling of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and its implications for food inflation worldwide with UN Secretary General, Russian,US, Turkiye Counterparts EU High Representative. Lauding the positive role played by the UN Secretary-General in the finalization of the BSGI agreement last year, the Foreign Minister requested Secretary-General Guterres to continue his valuable engagement for reviving the Initiative through a constructive dialogue that addresses the concerns of all parties.
