Pakistan, Egypt vow to deepen cooperation in various sectors, including defense

Islamabad: During the Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty’s two day visit to Pakistan, a delegation-level meeting was held between him and Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, in which both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in various sectors including economy and defense.  

After the meeting, while addressing a joint press conference, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar warmly welcomed the Egyptian Foreign Minister’s visit to Pakistan and termed it an important milestone in further strengthening the historic and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Egypt.

During the press conference, Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan and Egypt enjoy a longstanding partnership, and cooperation in various fields, including security, continues to grow.

He further said that both countries agreed to increase cooperation in political dialogue and economic partnership, and that collaboration will also be expanded in defense and all other sectors.

He added that the visit of the Egyptian Foreign Minister would help achieve shared objectives and enhance cooperation in political, economic, defense, cultural, and people-to-people ties.

Dar said Pakistan has also decided to provide Egypt with a list of 250 business houses to explore new investment opportunities. In addition, a Pakistan-Egypt Business Forum will be established, and its first meeting will be held in Egypt.

Ishaq Dar said that during the meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, discussions were held on global and regional issues including Gaza, as well as the situations in Jammu & Kashmir and Afghanistan. He added that Egypt has announced doubling the number of scholarships for Pakistani students, and scholarships will be offered at Al-Azhar University.

On the other hand, the Egyptian Foreign Minister thanked Pakistan for its warm hospitality and said that Pakistan and Egypt enjoy pleasant and brotherly relations, and both countries are determined to further expand them.

While addressing the press conference, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdelatty condemned the terrorist attacks in Pakistan and expressed condolences to the Pakistani government and people over the loss of lives in the terrorist incidents in Islamabad and Peshawar.

He said that Egypt stands with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and will cooperate with Pakistan to combat terrorism and extremism.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister said that Pakistan and Egypt enjoy strong and historic relations, and their friendship is based on mutual interest and respect. He said that both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in political dialogue, economic partnership, defense, and all other sectors.

They are committed to increasing bilateral trade volume and joint investment, and Egypt will expand cooperation with Pakistan in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and livestock.

He added that Pakistan and Egypt are determined to jointly deal with common challenges, and both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in political dialogue, economic partnership, defense, and security.

He said that every possible effort is being made to achieve peace in Gaza, and Pakistan has played an important role in the ceasefire agreement. Egypt seeks Pakistan’s further cooperation in the reconstruction of Gaza.

Both foreign ministers also discussed issues related to Occupied Kashmir, Afghanistan, and other global matters, and expressed commitment to continue cooperation at multilateral forums.