ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani has attended the Third EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels at the invitation of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, a statement of Pakistan’s foreign office said.
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Foreign Minister’s visit to Brussels to attend the Third Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 3, 2024
Speaking at the roundtable discussion on ‘Shared Prosperity, Economic Resilience, and Investments’, Pakistan’s top diplomat called for enhanced cooperation between Europe and its partners to confront international challenges, foster green partnerships, and to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
Observing the rapid pace of technological change, Jilani emphasized the need to balance risk regulation with optimal utilization of technology for sustainable growth and development.
Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council
The FM called for opposing divisive geopolitical contestation that could further aggravate regional and global tensions. He elaborated on Islamabad’s vision of connectivity and regional economic integration. Jilani introduced Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council as a renewed promise for fast-tracked, single-window facilitation of foreign investors and investments in profitable ventures in key areas of mining, agriculture, energy, and information technology (IT).
On the sidelines of the forum, the FM met with Borrell; Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib; Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno.
The FM also held meetings with senior EU officials, including Secretary General of the EU External Action Service Stefano Sannino, Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU Frans van Daele and Special Ambassador for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson. Pakistan’s FM also held a meeting with the Chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Countries of South Asia, MEP Nicola Procaccini.
