Summary “They reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation and mutual support at multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” the statement added.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Senior officials of Pakistan and Egypt agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, education and extend mutual support to each other at global platforms such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday, Pakistan’s foreign office said.
The statement was issued a day after the 10th Round of Pakistan-Egypt Annual Bilateral Consultations (ABC) were held virtually on Tuesday. Pakistan’s Additional Secretary for Middle East Zahid Hussain represented his country while the Egyptian delegation was headed by Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ambassador Amr Hamza.
The ABC platform serves as a key platform for both sides to review cooperation in priority sectors and assess their bilateral relations. The ninth round of the ABC between the two nations was held in Cairo on March 24, 2021.
“The two sides discussed the full spectrum of Pakistan-Egypt cooperation and reviewed progress under existing bilateral mechanisms,” the foreign office said about Tuesday’s meeting.
“They agreed to further strengthen and diversify cooperation in trade and investment, education, culture, science, information technology and other areas of mutual interest, while promoting greater people-to-people exchanges.”
Pakistan and Egypt underscored the importance of close coordination between their leaderships on key regional and international issues.
“They reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation and mutual support at multilateral fora, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” the statement added.
Both sides agreed to hold the next round of the Annual Bilateral Consultations in Cairo on mutually convenient dates, the foreign office concluded.
Islamabad and Cairo enjoy strong relations dating back to the early years of Pakistan’s independence. Egypt was among the first Middle Eastern countries to recognize Pakistan, and the two countries have since been cooperating with each other in the fields of defense, economy and diplomacy.
Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan last week called for transforming the country’s relations with Egypt into a stronger economic partnership. He urged both to move beyond conventional trade and view each other as long-term strategic investment partners.
