BÜRGENSTOCK, Switzerland: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday described the start of the US-Iran negotiations in Switzerland as an important opportunity for global peace and said the talks had become possible due to the prudent leadership of US President Donald Trump.
Speaking alongside US Vice President JD Vance and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani at the opening of the Pakistan-mediated talks, Prime Minister Sharif said dialogue remained the best path to resolving disputes and promoting stability.
PM Sharif also praised Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his role in the diplomatic efforts that helped bring the parties to the negotiating table, adding, “We can work together to establish unity in the world.”
Qatari PM Pakistan’s mediation efforts
Speaking on the occasion, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has thanked both the US and Iranian delegations for their efforts to make peace in the Middle East, as well as Pakistan’s leadership in initiating the mediation process.
“I think that every one of you has highlighted how important and historic this is, not only on the security of the region but also for the security of the world and for the global economy,” he said.
“I would like to thank all of you for your leadership and determination that put us in this room … this is just the beginning and I wish everyone all the best.”
He added that Qatar would support the mediation process “until the end – until we reach a solution.”
JD Vance hails ‘historic’ moment
JD Vance described the opening of Pakistan-mediated peace talks between the US and Iran as a “historic” moment and expressed hope that the negotiations would help reset relations between Washington and Tehran.
Vance said the talks offered an opportunity to move beyond decades of tensions.
“This is a historic meeting,” Vance said. “The goal is to turn over a new leaf, to transform our relationship with the people of Iran and to extend an outstretched hand.”
The talks, dubbed the “Lake Lucerne Summit”, are being held as a follow-up to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed recently between Tehran and Washington, with Pakistan and Qatar facilitating the negotiations.
Vance praises Pakistan’s role
Talking to reporters, Vance praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their role in bringing the two sides to the negotiating table.
Referring to Prime Minister Sharif, Vance said he was a “dear friend of the president’s, dear friend of mine” whose “very careful and skilled negotiations got us to this point”.
The US vice president also paid tribute to Field Marshal Munir, saying he had spoken with Field Marshal Munir extensively over recent months.
“I’ve probably talked to Field Marshal Munir more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last three months,” Vance said.
“He is of course a great military leader, but I think he’s shown himself to be a great diplomat.”
Vance added that Pakistan’s role had been recognised internationally and said he hoped the current momentum could be carried forward in future diplomatic efforts.
