MANILA, July 23 (Alliance News): Pakistan and Egypt on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace and regional stability, calling for dialogue and de-escalation to address the worsening security situation in the Middle East.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar held talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, where both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional developments.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, the two foreign ministers discussed the situation in Palestine and reiterated their rejection of violence against civilians and illegal settlement activities in the occupied West Bank.
They stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states and emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy remained the only path to lasting peace in the region.
The two leaders also expressed concern over the impact of regional instability on global maritime trade, energy security and the international economy.
On bilateral ties, Pakistan and Egypt agreed to further enhance cooperation in trade, investment, economic collaboration and engagement at multilateral forums while maintaining close coordination on issues of mutual interest.
The ministers also reviewed the outcome of the latest Regional Four consultations held in Cairo and reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening regional cooperation.
Separately, Dar met Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, with both sides expressing satisfaction over growing cooperation in trade, connectivity, defence and people-to-people exchanges. They also voiced hope that ongoing regional tensions would be resolved through peaceful dialogue.
During another meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, Dar discussed expanding Pakistan’s engagement with ASEAN in trade, investment, connectivity and people-to-people relations.
The ASEAN Secretary-General appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting dialogue and de-escalation amid recent regional developments, while both sides agreed to continue close cooperation on areas of mutual interest.
