Madrid/ Spain: 11 Jan 2022 – Pakistan and Spain have expressed satisfaction over the nature of bilateral relations , including trade and economic cooperation, and agreed to further strengthen them. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albari at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain.
Pakistan considers Spain an important partner in the context of European Union.As the fourth largest economy, Spain plays a key role in EU policies. With over $ 1.3 billion in annual bilateral trade, Spain is one of Pakistan’s major trading partners.
During the meeting, important regional and global issues including bilateral relations, trade and economic partnership were discussed.
Mr. Qureshi welcome similarity and coherence in the perspectives of the two countries on regional and international issues, including counter-terrorism and UN reforms.
“The existing mechanism of Annual Bilateral Consultation (ABC) needs to be made more dynamic and active to promote bilateral cooperation in multilateral fields between Pakistan and Spain,”. Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi noted.
“With over 220 million customers, Pakistan is an attractive market for foreign investment.There are vast opportunities for Spanish investors to invest in various sectors including textiles, housing and construction, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, agriculture and sports goods,” He said.
The Foreign Minister thanked the Spanish Government for its continued support in the European Union on the GSP Plus issue.
During the meeting, issues related to regional law and order including Afghanistan were also discussed. The Foreign Minister called on Spain to play its effective role in providing immediate assistance to the people of Afghanistan from the European Union’s humanitarian catastrophe and providing immediate assistance.
The Foreign Minister briefed his Spanish counterpart that Pakistan seeks peaceful relations with all neighboring countries on the basis of mutual respect, sovereignty and equality.
Foreign Minister apprised his Spanish counterpart of threats to peace in the region due to Indian policies.
“The real issue between India and Pakistan is the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the just solution of which is essential for regional peace and stability. On August 5, 2019, India’s illegal and unilateral actions in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir dealt a severe blow to our regional peace efforts.”Mr. Qureshi shared.
The Foreign Minister apprised his Spanish counterpart of the significant improvement in the law and order situation in Pakistan and stressed the need for Spain to review the Travel Advisory.
Foreign Minister dwelled on Pakistanis living in Spain. More than 125,000 Pakistanis living in Spain play a vital role in strengthening bilateral relations. Pakistani citizens residing in Spain have to renounce Pakistani citizenship as there is no dual citizenship agreement between the two countries.
The Foreign Minister hoped that the Spanish government would seriously consider a solution to the problem facing Hispanics of Pakistani descent.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on H.E. Meritxell Batet, the President of Congress of Deputies of Spain, today, and discussed ways to strengthen Pakistan-Spain bilateral relations in diverse fields.
Emphasizing the significance of parliamentary exchanges, the Foreign Minister extended invitation to the Spanish Parliamentarians to visit Pakistan, which would help in cementing the ongoing areas of cooperation.
The President of the Congress of Deputies agreed with the Foreign Minister that the menace of covid-19needed to be dealt through global cooperation by judicious distribution of vaccine and provision of fiscal space to the developing countries for investment in the health sectors and to kick start their economies.
President Meritxell Batet thanked the Foreign Minister for Pakistan’s assistance in the evacuation of people of their concern from Afghanistan. The two sides voiced converging views on the need for retaining the trained human resource within Afghanistan to manage the operation of various State and social institutions.
Highlighting the recent 17th Extraordinary Session of OIC Council of the Foreign Ministers (OIC-CFM) hosted by Pakistan on 19 December 2021, to address the urgent humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the Foreign Minister reiterated the need for engaging interim government in Afghanistan by the international community.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the interest by the EU and donation of 20 million Euros by Spain in humanitarian support of the Afghan people. The commitment of Spanish government to play a supporting role in guaranteeing the education of children, particularly Afghan women and girls, was highly commendable.
Ms. Meritxell Batet accepted Foreign Minister’s invitation to lead a parliamentary delegation to Pakistan in near future.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah MahmoodQureshi interacted with members of the Foreign Relations Committee of Congress of Deputies,headed by H.E. Pau Mari Klose, today, and exchanged views on various aspects of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Spain.
Highlighting the enormous potential between the two countries in diverse areas, the Foreign Minister stressed the importance of translating them into tangible economic outcomes deepening Pakistan-Spain relations.
