FM Qureshi receives his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio at FO

• FM Qureshi says Italy and Pakistan have a robust relationship, strongly bridged by 150,000-member Pakistani diaspora.
• Italian FM Luigi Di Maio congratulated FM Qureshi for assuming the presidency of G20.
• The COAS says Pakistan values its relations with Italy and earnestly looks forward to enhancing mutually beneficial multi-domain relations.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi received his Italian counterpart, Luigi Di Maio, at the Foreign Office for delegation-level talks between the two countries on Monday.

Per a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two representatives conferred upon the evolving situation in Afghanistan and bilateral affairs during the talks.

On the occasion, FM Qureshi said that Pakistan has a special value for the bilateral relations with Italy, adding that Italy’s efforts for containing the spread of coronavirus are highly laudable.

The Pakistani FM thanked Maio for the Italian support for the GSP-Plus Status extended to Pakistan, while the latter congratulated the former for assuming the presidency of G20.

FM Qureshi took to Twitter to welcome Maio to Pakistan and said that the visit of the Italian delegation shows the commitment of the two countries towards working together closely for peace, stability, and cooperation.

"Good to welcome FM @luigidimaio to Pakistan. His visit reflects the resolve of the governments of Pakistan and Italy to work closely for peace and stability and to advance our level of our bilateral cooperation," FM Qureshi wrote on Twitter.

In the latest Twitter post, FM Qureshi said that Italy and Pakistan have a robust relationship, reinforced by the 150,000-member Pakistani diaspora forming a strong bridge between the two countries.

The FM wrote in another Twitter post that he and his Italian counterpart shared views on Pakistan’s support of an inclusive political statement in the neighbouring country and the importance of the international community’s engagement with the Afghan people, prioritising their humanitarian needs, and ensuring their economic stability.

Luigi Di Maio visits Chief of Army Staff

Later, Luigi Di Maio called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, the current situation in Afghanistan and collaboration in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan were discussed.

The COAS said that Pakistan values its relations with Italy and earnestly looks forward to enhancing mutually beneficial multi-domain relations based on common interest.

The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan's role in the Afghan situation, including successful evacuation operations, efforts for regional stability, and pledged to play their role for further improvement in diplomatic cooperation with Pakistan at all levels.

Pakistan and Italy enjoy cordial relations, bilaterally as well as in the context of EU and multilateral fora. The two sides closely coordinate on the issue of the UN Security Council reforms. 

The visit of Foreign Minister Maio potentially added further momentum to the close cooperation between the two countries to strengthen mutual coordination on regional and international issues.