Wang Yi reiterates his appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive role in the meeting with Dar

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday praised Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to facilitate dialogue and diplomacy, amid the ongoing talks between Iran and the United States, and reiterated his appreciation for its constructive role during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the meeting took place in New York where the two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments and Pakistan’s efforts to promote sustained peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy in the region and beyond.

“Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated his appreciation and support for Pakistan’s constructive role,” the statement said.

The two sides also recalled the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation to China as well as the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, underlining the long-standing friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Dar is scheduled to travel to Washington, DC on Sunday for an official visit, where he is expected to meet with US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.

Dar and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan agree to promote cooperation

Separately, Dar also met with Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on the sidelines of the Group of Friends meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in multiple sectors.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two ministers took stock of the positive trajectory of relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan and reiterated the deep-rooted and friendly ties between the two countries.

Dar emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, energy, transportation and regional connectivity, including Pakistan’s willingness to export high-quality meat and agricultural products to Turkmenistan.

“The two sides also placed emphasis on strengthening regional transit and connectivity through rail, land, air and sea links to facilitate trade, commercial activity and people-to-people exchanges,” he added.

The two sides also discussed regional and international developments, reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation in multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

The Deputy Prime Minister visited New York at the invitation of Foreign Minister Yi to attend the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on “Maintaining International Peace and Security: Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations Charter and Strengthening the United Nations-Centered International System.”

Read: Foreign Minister Dar to visit US Secretary Rubio in Washington after UN Security Council engagements in New York

The debate was held on May 26 under China’s presidency of the Security Council, which called for restraint and reduction of tensions in the Middle East, warning that another protracted conflict would jeopardize regional peace and further strain the fragile international order.

Addressing the open debate, he said the principle of peaceful settlement must apply equally to all long-standing disputes on the Security Council’s agenda, referring to ongoing efforts to achieve a resolution to the conflict between Iran and the United States.

“The whole world is watching. We must succeed in the interests of regional and global peace and security,” Dar told the 15-member Security Council. “As a friendly neighbor to Iran and brother Gulf countries, Pakistan consistently advocates for restraint, reduction of tensions and return to diplomacy.”

Dar said that during his recent visit to Beijing, Pakistan and China announced a five-point initiative for peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East, warning that another conflict would pose a serious threat not only to the region but to the world at large.

“Another prolonged conflict would benefit no one,” warned the Foreign Minister. “It would jeopardize regional peace, disrupt global energy flows, deepen humanitarian suffering and strain an already fragile international order.”