Tazeen Akhtar
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar received the Ambassador of Switzerland, Georg Steiner, today for a courtesy call. It is pertinent to note here that Switzerland is hosting Global Conference in June on Ukraine. Ambassador’s call on is likely to be in the same connection to invite Foreign Minister or Prime Minister of Pakistan to attend the conference.
In the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar said that Pakistan attaches high importance to its ties with Switzerland and the two sides have the potential to expand cooperation in trade and investment, climate, tourism and migration. He appreciated Swiss companies doing business in Pakistan and invited more Swiss companies to invest in Pakistan, particularly in the renewable energy and IT sectors.
Referring to the MoU on Disaster Management signed between the two countries last year, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister hoped that it would foster greater cooperation between the two sides, enabling them to utilize technology and expertise to address natural calamities in the future.
Switzerland to host Global Peace Summit on the basis of President Ukraine’s Peace Formula
Regional dynamics and multilateral issues were also discussed. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister also appreciated Switzerland’s role in the multilateral arena as well as the country’s contributions to humanitarian and peace-building efforts.
Pakistan and Switzerland have close relations marked by regular interactions. The Swiss Foreign Minister visited Pakistan last July and Bilateral Political Consultations were held in January this year.
Pakistan in the World has extensive work on Ukraine Russia issue and European Union’s continuous pressure on Pakistan to condemn Russia for invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, we can see this call on of Swiss Ambassador in the same connection.
It is expected that the Global Peace Summit will be held on June 15-16 in Switzerland and more than 100 countries will take part in it. Switzerland has already held talks with G7 member countries, the European Union and representatives of the Global South such as China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan is continuously avoiding the condemnation of Russia but has repeatedly said that Pakistan is against any aggression against any country in the World. Pakistan questions in response to the demand of EU What is your stand on Kashmir that is also a victim of Indian aggression and illegal occupation? Here EU is at a loss.
After 7 Oct 2023, attack of Hamas on Israel and Israeli Genocide of Gazans in retaliation has further weakened the EU stance on Ukraine because in Middle East , The EU is supporting the aggressor.
Pakistan may accept the invitation and may attend the conference but even then stance of Pakistan will remain the same. First it is a matter of Pakistan’s decision about the invitation that Pakistan accepts it or not. It is not clear neither DPM has expressed anything in this regard but Yes or No may come in next few days.
Anyway the Embassies of Russian and Ukraine will remain engaged with the concerned officials in the days to come. It is a test of both. Lets see who succeeds in convincing Pakistan. Russia for NO or Ukraine for YES. Here Ukraine has an edge on Russia. Ukraine has more friends in Islamabad than Russia.
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