Manend Team 
ISLAMABAD, (MANEND NEWS): On the invitation of his Egyptian
counterpart, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi will
be visiting the Arab Republic of Egypt from today (Tuesday) to
(Thursday) (16-18 February 2021).
According to a statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid
Hafeez Chaudhri on Monday, the visit of the Foreign Minister is taking
place in the backdrop of the meetings between Prime Minister Imran
Khan and President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi; first, on the sidelines of
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Makkah Summit in 2019,
and then on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the UN General
Assembly in New York in 2019. During these meetings, the two leaders
agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation and enhance high-
level exchanges. Last year, the Prime Minister also had a telephone
conversation with Egyptian President regarding his ‘Global Initiative on
Debt Relief’ for developing countries, which was supported by Egypt.
The FO spokesperson said that Pakistan and Egypt enjoy close
fraternal relations firmly anchored on common faith, culture and
values. The two countries have similar perceptions on a range of
regional and global issues. Bilateral cooperation is advanced through
strong institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Ministerial
Commission, Annual Bilateral Consultations, and Joint Business
Council. More than 40 agreements signed between the two sides in
diverse fields provide a firm basis for enhanced cooperation. Pakistan
and Egypt also work closely in the multilateral arena, in particular the
United Nations, OIC and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that during the visit, the Foreign Minister
will hold detailed consultations with his Egyptian counterpart and call
on other dignitaries. He will also interact with leading Egyptian
businessmen and members of the Pakistani community. The visit of
the Foreign Minister is expected to further strengthen and diversify
Pakistan’s bilateral ties with brotherly Egypt.
He said that Egypt is an important country in the Middle East and
Africa. Egypt plays a key role in the Middle East, while its deep
linkages with the African Continent make it a gateway to Africa. In line
with Pakistan’s desire to forge stronger ties with the Islamic world, as
well as the government’s ‘Engage Africa” initiative, Pakistan accords
high importance to its partnership with Egypt.
