ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi undertook an official visit to Romania from January 9-10, 2022 at the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Romania Bogdan Aurescu.
During the bilateral talks, the two foreign ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Discussions focused on exploring possibilities to further deepen engagement in different sectors, including commerce & trade, investment, defence, education, labour, science & technology, and culture.
It was agreed to hold the next round of Bilateral Political Consultations soon in Islamabad and to revive the Joint Economic Commission.
Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated Romania’s support for Pakistan within the European Union (EU), particularly for GSP Plus Status.
Exchanging views on regional issues, Qureshi briefed his Romanian Counterpart on Pakistan’s efforts for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and the ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Pakistan and Romania signed two Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) during the visit relating to the Award of scholarships to Pakistani students by the Politehnica University of Bucharest; and Cooperation between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Romanian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI).
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also called on the Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to build a broad-based and substantive relationship with Romania.
Qureshi thanked the Romanian government for announcing the gift of 500,000 doses of the COVID vaccine.
The Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca appreciated Pakistan’s facilitation in the evacuation of Romanian nationals from Afghanistan.
During the foreign minister’s meeting with the Romanian Minister for Economy Florin Spataru, the two sides appreciated increasing bilateral trade despite COVID and discussed ways to further enhance economic ties.
Earlier, the foreign minister inaugurated the ‘Pakistan Cultural & Trade Exhibition Center’ at the Embassy of Pakistan, Bucharest. The Center will serve as a venue for the permanent exhibition of Pakistani export items and for holding cultural events aimed at promoting tourism and the soft image of the Country.
While addressing the Pakistani community in Romania, the foreign minister underlined steps being taken by the government for ensuring the welfare of the Pakistani diaspora.
Pakistan and Romania enjoy close and friendly ties.
Both sides have similarity of views on important regional and global matters and have traditionally cooperated on various international forums.
The visit was undertaken with a view to enhance Pakistan’s engagement with European Union Members, particularly enhancing economic interface and sharing Pakistan’s viewpoint on important regional issues.
